OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE 



A Descriptive Work on 



THE CITY OF ROME 



NEW YORK 



EDIIHD BY 



DANIEL E. WAGER 



The Boston history Company, publishers 

i8q6 



^<^^3 



< 






^^ 



PREFACE, 



All persons into whose hands this volume will be delivered are 
familiar with the fact that during its compilation, its author, the late 
Daniel E. Wager, was stricken with death It is fortunate for those 
who will peruse these pages that his work thereon was nearly com- 
pleted when his summons came. The arrangement of the matter and 
the preparation of some of the chapters was necessarily left for other 
hands; but the chief historical part of the work, and that which had 
demanded from Mr. Wager an astonishing amount of research, was 
finished. It is entirely safe to say, and it is due to his memory to re- 
cord it here, that no other similar city has had so much intelligent labor 
bestowed upon the preparation of its early history ; it may also be truly 
said that no other person could so well have performed the task for 
Rome. 

The names of the very many who have kindly aided in the gathering 
of facts for the preparation of the history of the city in more recent 
times, its institutions and industries, cannot be even mentioned here; 
it would embrace all the city officials, pastors of churches, proprietors 
of manufactories, and heads of families almost without number, and a 
general expression of gratitude for such aid must suffice. But it is 
proper to state that the complete account of the Masonic Order was 



iv PREFACE. 

written by Mr. O. P. Backus, whose time was fully given also to intelli- 
gent criticism of other parts of the work. 

The portraits and biographies in the volume were without exception 
approved by Mr. Wager, and they add to the value and attractiveness 
of tlie work. It is believed that, as a whole, this history of Rome will 
meet a welcome reception. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

EARLY SETTLEMENT y 

CHAPTER n. 

CANTERBURY HILL 



CHAPTER HI. 



14 



THE RIDGE AND OTHER LOCALITIES 04 

CHAPTER IV. 

THE VILLAGE IN EARLY YEARS 07 

CHAPTER V. 

TOWN MEETING PROCEEDINGS 35 

CHAPTER VI. 

VILLAGE INCORPORATION AND CIVIL LIST 4:5 

CHAPTER VII 

EARLY BUSINESS AND BUILDINGS IN ROME 48 

CHAPTER VIII 

THE GREAT FIRE AND THE REBUILDING OF DOMINICK STREET. 63 

CHAPTER IX. 

THE CANAL ROUTE CHANGED AND THE CONSEQUENCES 70 



yj CONTENTS. 

CHAPTKR X. 
CANAL VILLAGE IN EARLY YEARS 94 

CHAPTKR XI. 

JAMES STREET NORTH OF THE CANAL 102 

CHAPTKR Xn. 
BUSINESS INTERESTS OF ROME IN 1848 125 

CHAPTKR XIH 

CITY INCORPORATION AND CIVIL LIST 1:^1 

CHAPTKR XIV. 
SCHOOLS OF ROME 1'^'* 

CHAPTKR XV. 
RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS 147 

CHAPTKR XVI. 
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS 1^^ 

CHAPTKR XVII 
THE NEWSPAPERS OF ROME 1"^^ 

CHAPTKR XVIII. 

POST-OFFICE AND MAILS 1^=^ 

chapti<:r XIX. 

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS : 18C 

CHAPIKR XX. 
THE BAR OF ROME 192 

CHAPTKR XXI. 
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION 2U5 



CONTENTS. vii 

CHAPTKR XXII 
MANUFACTURES.. ....220 

CHAPTER XXIII. 

MERCANTILE ESTABLISHMENTS, ETC. 228 

CHAPTER XXIV. 

THE MASONIC ORDER IN ROME 241 



PART II-BIOGRAPHICAL. 

BIOGRAPHIES 1-^9 



INDEX --- - 41-54 



PORTRAITS. 



Abeel, James S., Capt facing 16 

Bissell, Gordon N facing 24 

Comstock, Calvert facing 32 

Comstock, Edward facing 40 

Draper, Virgil facing 48 

Ethridge, Alfred facing 56 

Flandrau, Thomas Macomb.. -facing 64 

Haselton, J. S. facing 80 

Huntington, Edward facing 96 

Kingsley, W. J. P., M. D facing' 112 

Lawton, Elon J., M. D facing 120 

Mann, Newton facing 128 

Nock, Thomas G - facing 136 



Prescott, Cyrus Dan facing 144 

Reid, Christopher C, M. D. ..facing 152 

Sayles, Joseph I facing 160 

Scripture, William E. facing 168 

Scudder, Samuel O., M. D facing 176 

Searles, James H_ facing 184 

Smith, J Arthur, V.S facing 192 

Soper, Albert facing 200 

Soper, Arthur W facing 208 

Stryker, John .facing 216 

Utley, David facing 224 

Wardwell, Daniel . . .facing 232 

West, M. Colvin, M. D .facing 240 



OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 



CHAPTER I. 

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

It is undoubtedly true that no limited section of the great Empire 
State is richer in historical materials and memories than the one of 
which this volume treats. Far back in the past it was most important 
from a military point of view, while in the struggle of the American 
colonies for independence it was the theater of events which exerted a 
powerful influence in attaining the success that marked the final culmi- 
nation of that contest. All of the memorable events of the long period 
of strife from 1 754 to the close of the Revolutionary war have been ade- 
quately described in Chapters II to VI inclusive of Volume I of this 
work. Our present purpose is, therefore, to follow in detail the history 
of this locality from that time to the present. It is essential, however, 
to a clear understanding of the record of later events, to refer again to 
the settlement at or near the site of Fort Stanwix prior to the Revolu- 
tion of John Roof and his family; and the reader will also be aided 
greatly by reference to the accompanying plan of the siege of Fort 
Stanwix, particularly in studying the account of the early settlements 
thereabouts. 

It is quite clearly settled that John Roof (originally Johannis Reuff) 

settled at Fort Stanwix in 1760. That was two years after the fort was 

built. Here Mr. Reuff resided from that time until driven out, with 

several other families, by the siege of Fort Stanwix in 1777. The Reufif 
I 



2 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

family then located at Canajoharie, Mr. Philip Rooff, an intelligent 
gentleman, a grandson of Joh-innis Reuff, furnished interesting facts 
concerning the births and names of the first white children in what is 
now Oneida County. On his sunmier visit to the old home at Canajo- 
harie, he found in possession of a great-granddaughter of Mr. Reuff an 
old deed, bearing date May 2, 1778, from George Schimling to said Jo- 
hannis Reuff, conveying 659 acres of land. This deed covered the old 
homestead of Colonel John Roof (son of Johannis), and also the same 
land on which the village of Canajoharie now stands. The date of this 
deed shows the purchase was made in the spring of the next year, after 
the destruction of Mr. Reufif's property at Fort Stanwix, and when he 
and his family were driven away from this fort Mr. Roof writes that 
on the back of this deed is a record, in the handwriting of Johannis 
Reuff, of the names, places, and times of the birth of his children. The 
writing, by reason of age, has become quite indistinct to the naked eye, 
but by the aid of a magnifying glass it can be deciphered. It is sup- 
posed that this record was made on the back of the deed in conse- 
qutnce of the loss of the family Bible, which contained the original rec- 
ord at the time the Reuff family were driven from Fort Stanwix The 
list, as copied from the back of that deed, reads as follows: 

Fort Stanwix. 

My first son, John Roof, was born the 28th of August, 1762. 
My first daughter, Susannah, was born 9th August, 1766. 
My second daughter, Barbara, was born ;3()th October 1771. 
My second son, Adam, was born 16th May, 1773. 
My third daughter, Mary (or Maria), was born 5th April, 1777. 

Canajo/iaric. 

My third son, Daniel, was born 8th March, 1779. 
My fourth .son, Martyn, was born 19th April, 1783. 
My fifth son, Andrew, was born 1st July, 1785. 

From the foregoing, positive evidence is furnished that five of the 
Roof family were born at Fort Stanwix during the seventeen years that 







\i.:^; 



*^ N 



M^ 












[ i 



^^^■^ ■'. 



€^: /' !; 






fs^/," V '-., 



/ 






I ,>i 









z 






1 --/j^ 













\il 






•5h 



; < / 



.&// 




,0,',' 






©1 ^/^.^/•^!'['1^!^.iP.^'/U'-^«fe^!'i§nii; ' ; ,^ 




o 2 S 

(U O -S 



-O >^ ^ 



j^ " ^ o c a 

^ c 2 ^ I '^ 

® 5 "t; -S '-^ 

c _- - c ^ c 

^ ^ ^ * ^g 

O Q, C M 2 '^ 

-a -r ■" -o * Z, 

C3 r- O w 

M !^ S g M'*J 

e ^ ^ c o 



o S - 



^ s ■« 



1^ 



x: o o ^ ^ CI 

■^-^ I- 'X '^■ 

OJ _, -^ t/l ^ 



•^ ^ "H 



'^ -trs 

P 4) C 



S .5 .** 5 



il ^ 3 -^ rt ^ 

o, O -^ j; ui o 



M 2 o -d " 



5 ai ^ o .2 O 







".S 


jj 


X 


cu 





o 


at 


o 




o 


h/1 


[X. 




C3 


is 




C 


« 


"O 


a: 





•o :;j 



.2 -^ 



O c 6 D 

■J! o ^ 

'•5 '5 ^ 



EARLY SETTLEMENT. 3 

family were residing here, before the siege of Fort Stanwix ; one of 
them but a few months before the siege commenced. 

This Phihp Roof was a grandson of Martyn, above named. It will be 
remembered that at the time the Reuff family resided at Fort Stanwix 
there were four other families residing here, viz., Bartholomew Brodock, 

William Klein, Thomas Mayers, and Steers. Unto one or more of 

those families children were born at F"ort Stanwix, before the Revolu- 
tionary war. The daughter of Mr. Steers was the one who was shot 
and scalped while outside the fort blackberrying a few days before the 
siege commenced. Descendants of that Brodock family are yet resi- 
dents of Rome. 

Early in the year 1789 Thomas and Ebenezer Wright, sr., brothers, 
Willett Ranney, sr., and Bill Smith came to Fort Stanwix from Connec- 
ticut ; they were all connected by marriage and probably came together. 
The two Wrights and Mr Ranney had married three sisters, the Misses 
Butler of Connecticut, and Bill Smith married a daughter of Mr. Ran- 
ney. At the time of their settlement Thomas Wright, the elder broth- 
er, had ten children, Ebenezer Wright, sr., had six children (the eldest 
one twenty years old and the youngest five). Mr. Ranney had nine 
children, all grown to maturity, and most if not all of them married. 
Bill Smith had two children and another was born to him in February, 
1789, soon after his arrival. 

The Oneida county records show that in June, 1789, Sylvester Ber- 
ing of Suffolk county conveyed to Seth Ranney, son of Willett, sr., lOO 
acres of land in what became Wright Settlement and which constituted 
the farm on which D. W. Knight resided in recent years. Mr. Ber- 
ing had purchased that farm and other lands of William Floyd, one of 
the owners of Fonda's Patent, a few months earlier. We have not been 
able to ascertain that a conveyance to an actual settler in what is now 
Rome bears an earlier date than this deed to Mr. Ranney. Those four 
families remained at the fort the first year after their arrival, cultivating 



4 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

small pieces of ground on the adjacent clearing, and in the mean time 
making an opening in the woods at Wright Settlement where they had 
taken up land. 

In the following year, 1790, there was a great rush of immigrants 
from the east to Fort Stanwix. The number was greater than in any 
previous year and possibly in any later year, if we may judge by the 
number of leases granted to persons who became actual settlers. While 
the system of leasing land which prevailed at that time was most ob- 
jectionable, in many ways, it still possessed an attraction to immigrants 
who had little money to pay down for land. Whether David I. Andrus 
and Nathaniel Gilbert (noticed further on) came in 1789 or 1790 cannot 
now be learned. Quite likely they came in 1789, with or soon after 
the Ranney family, for both married daughters of Willett Ranney, sr. 

Durin; the year 1790 all the lands of Wright Settlement, the Sel- 
den neighborhood, and most of the territory north of the Ridge to the 
town line was leased and taken up by actual settlers. Most of these 
leases bear date of June 4, 1790, and were granted to the persons and 
include land, as follows: 

Seth Ranney, in addition to his before-named purchase, leased of 
George Clinton 249 acres extending from the Mohawk River easterly 
and including the farms of the late Andred Vredenburgh and W. K. 
Reese. 

David I. Andrus leased of Mr. Clinton 138 acres next north of Seth 
Ranney. The road crossing the river at the Ridge going easterly to 
Wright Settlement was the northern boundary of that 138 acres. 

Nathaniel Gilbert leased of Mr. Clinton 100 acres next north of Mr. 
Andrus. 

Roswell Fellows leased of Mr. Clinton 100 acres directly west of TNIr. 
Gilbert's above described tract, and extending to the river. If Mr. Fel- 
lows ever resided on the farm he did not remain long, for the county 
records show that on June 17, 1790, he leased 200 acres on the road 



EARLY SETTLEMENT. 5 

from Rome to Delta, located there, and lived there twenty five years 
and there died. 

Ebenezer Wright, jr.. leased of Mr. Clinton 196 acres next north of 
Nathaniel Gilbert's tract and extending to the river; it included tlie 
farm and residence afterwards occupied by his son, E. VV. Wright. 

Willett Ranney, jr. leased of Mr. Clinton the lOO acres next north of 
Mr. Wright, just described, and constituting the farm which subsequent- 
ly passed to and was long owned by John Butts. Directly west of this 
last described farm, Benjamin Gilbert leased lOO acres. 

John Wright, son of the pioneer Thomas Wright, leased of Mr. Clin- 
ton 100 acres on Penny street, which is the road leading through the 
Selden neighborhood to the covered bridge over the Mohawk. That 
farm embraced the fifty acres east of the higliway and afterwards known 
as the Gates place and fifty acres west of the highway known many 
years ago as the Waters place and later as the Henry Dopp farm. 

Moses Wright, brother of the last mentioned John Wright, leased of 
Mr. Clinton the 100 acres next north, which farm was afterwards owned 
by Silas Wightman. 

Asa Knapp leased the 100 acres next north of Moses Wright, where 
afterwards resided Roswell Edgerton and later Asa Fuller and still later 
Philemon and Philander Selden. 

Jasper French leased of John Lansing, jr., the ico acres next north 
on the east side of the highway, and which was afterwards divided and a 
part became the residence of Thomas Selden and part the residence of 
Joseph Otis. The 100 acres just west of this French lease and includ- 
ing the farm afterwards "owned by Jesse Childs was leased to Elijah 
Weeks. 

Elijah Root leased the 100 acres next north, and adjoining him on 
the north was Cliester Gould's lease ; these leases embracing the farms 
afterwards owned by George, Daniel and John Ashby and Samuel and 
Daniel W. Lamb and all the lands east of the river at that point, and 
down to the covered bridge. 



6 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

On the 17th of June, 1790, Mr. Lansing leased i 59 acres at the Ridge 
to Elisha Walsworth, father of the late Elisha Walsworth, and on the 
same day leased 160 acres north of it to Jonathan French and Benjamin 
Gilbert. 

Dyer McComber leased the lOO acres next north on June 4. 1791, 
which afterwards became the Isham Simonds farm and later the resi- 
dence of the late John H. Wilcox; on the same day Abner Pitcher 
leased the farm owned in recent years by H. L Adams. All the re- 
mainder of the lands to the town line, except the Fellows farm and a 
100 acre tract leased a few years later, were leased the same day, which 
indicates how rapidly the territory in that part of the town was taken 
up in 1790 and 1 791. 

To the foregoing list of the settlers in that part of Rome may be 
added the following who came in prior to 1800: Jesse Childs came 
about 1792 and seltled in the Selden neighborhood, near the river. 
Joseph Otis came in 1793 and settled on the farm occupied in recent 
years by A. M. Potter. William West came in 1793 and bought out 
the before described lease of David I. Andrus Edward Simons in 1793 
owned and lived on a farm of 310 acres south of the late A. Vreden- 
bur"h residence; in 1796 he sold fifty acres to John Simons and sixty 
acres to Jonathan Brainard, who was the father of Jeptha Brainard. 
Asa Fuller lived on the Asa Knapp place prior to 1795, and about that 
year it was taken by Roswell Edgerton. About 1795 Daniel W. Lamb, 
John and Daniel Ashby located near the covered bridge. At about the 
same time Thomas Selden lived on the hill where Alexander Coventry 
resided in recent years. 

In 1795 Cornelius Van Wormer resided on the John Butts place, and 
not long after that Zaccheus Abell, brother in law of D. W. Knight, 
lived on top of Canterbury hill on the east side of the highway. About 
that time Abiather Seckill resided east of Grant Wheat's old residence, 
and Peter Lampman, " Pigeon" Palmer, and Luke Usher lived near the 



EARLY SETTLEMENT. 7 

covered bridge. In 1796 Rufus Barnes located on Penny street on 
what was afterwards known as the Whittlesy place. About 1800 John 
Kly located near the big gulf north of the Butts neighborhood, where 
Daniel Kirkland and Thomas Jewett afterwards resided. In the same 
year Benjamin Raymond bought ninety acres of the Kd. Simons farm 
and lived on the site where Joseph Briggs, Jacob Tibbetts and C. D. 
Denio afterwards resided. Many of these are more definitely mentioned 
further on. 

The sons of Ebenezer Wright, sr , were Ebenezer, jr., Benjamin, 
Allen, William, and Joseph Butler ; of these Ebenezer, jr., and his 
brother Allen turned their attention to farming; William was a mer- 
chant in his early life in Rome and Pulaski ; Benjamin became con- 
spicuous as a surveyor and engineer and is entitled to more extended 
notice. He came to Fort Stanwix in i 790 when twenty years old. His 
fatlier's family had located in the previous year at what is known as 
Wright Settlement, leaving Benjamin behind in Connecticut to finish 
his studies in surveying. From 1796 to 1800 he was engaged in sur- 
veying in what are now P'ranklin, Jefferson, Lewis, Oneida, Oswego and 
St. Lawrence counties. In what was then Oneida county he laid out 
over 500,000 acres into farms before he was twenty-six years old. Mr. 
Wright ran for Assembly in 1804 on the Aaron Burr ticket in the guber 
natorial contest between the latter and Morgan Lewis; Mr Wright's 
opponent was Gen. Walter Martin of Martinsburg. Without 
counting the vote of the town of Adams, then in Oneida county, the 
vote was a tie between those two men ; in Adams thirty- four votes were 
cast, all of them for " Benj. Wright," and the question arose as to whether 
they should be counted for Benjamin Wright. When the facts were 
communicated to the Assembly on the second day of its session, the seat 
was given to Mr. Wright. He was the first Roman elected to the As- 
sembly after the organization of Oneida county. Mr. Wright ran again 
fwr As.sembly in 1807 and i8o8 and was successful. About that time 



8 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

the Krie Canal question became conspicuous before the public and Mr. 
Wright became one of its most ardent and influential advocates. When 
the time arrived for making the first survey for the canal, Mr. Wright 
and James Geddes were employed to do the work. In 1813 Mr. 
Wright was appointed one of the judges of the Common Pleas, and in 
1 8 17 was defeated in his candidacy for the Assembly. He was a partner 
in mercantile pursuits in Rome from 1804 to 1817, at first with Peter 
Colt and later with his own brother, William Wright. He removed 
to New York about 1825 and died there. 

The elder Ebenezer Wright was a man of strong character and en- 
dowed with energy and perseverance. In 1794 he vuas an assistant 
justice of the peace; was foreman of the grand jury in 1798, and in 1790 
was one of the assessors of the town of Whitestown. He died in 1808 
aged sixty six years. Thomas Wright, brother of Ebenezer, sr , de- 
voted much of his attention to his farm, but also became interested in 
other pursuits. He and his sons built across the Mohawk at the Ridge 
the first dam there, and on the west side of the river they built before 
1800 a grist mill and saw mill. Not far from the same time, at the 
covered bridge higher up the stream, John Barnard erected mills which 
were long known by his name. Thomas Wright was overseer of the 
poor of the town of Steuben, 1793-95, while Rome was a part of that 
town, and in 1796-99 held the same position in the town of Rome. 
He died in March, 18 12, and his farm was afterwards owned by his 
sons, Joseph, Ebenezer and John. His other sons were Moses, Thomas 
Wright, jr., and Allen. Of these, Moses Wright became almost as cel- 
ebrated as a surveyor as his cousin Benjamin. He laid out many of 
the early roads in this section ; and in 1797 surveyed the Holland Patent. 
About 1790 he built the frame dwelling at the Ridge, afterwards known 
as the Wardwell place. In 1807 he bought of Henry Huntington 158 
acres on the Turin road He settled on that farm and lived in a log 
house which stood near the " Fish Pond " and on which stream then 
stood a distillery, erected some years earlier. 



EARLY SETTLEMENT. 9 

The sons of William Ranney, sr., were Seth, James, Willett, jr., and 
Butler. It has already been stated that Seth Ranney purchased loo 
acres in June, 1789, in Wright Settlement, which he sold a year later 
to the father of D. W. Knight. The indications are that Seth Ranney 
never lived at Wright Settlement. In the old account books of George 
Huntington & Co., opposite Seth Ranney's account are the words 
" Canada Creek," thus indicating that he then resided in the west part 
of what is now Rome. He probably left this section within a few years, 
James Ranney, son of Willett, sr., removed to Adams, Jefferson county, 
about 1806. Butler Ranney removed to Redfield, Oswego county, 
about 1808 and later during the war of 18 12 to Adams where he kept 
a public house, and still later to Watertown. Willett Ranney, jr., prob- 
ably removed to Saratoga county in the first year of the present cen- 
tury. His sons were Anton, John, Orville and Lester, 

Col. Daniel Whitman Knight, sr., was born in Lisbon, Conn., in 1764 
and purchased of Seth Ranney in 1790, as before noticed, building a 
log house near where George Wheat lived in recent years. They re- 
moved, however, to the foot of Canterbury hill where he purchased 100 
acres in the southwest corner of lot 48, Fonda's Patent, and which in- 
cluded the homestead of his son, Deacon D. W. Knight. Mr. Knight's 
latter purchase was an absolute deed free from all future rents, and he 
proceeded with his native industry to clear up his land and create a 
permanent and attractive home. There he resided forty years of his 
life and died March 31, 1830. He was commissioner of highways in 
1793, assessor of Rome in 1798, and commissioned one of the justices 
of the peace upon the formation of Oneida county. He had six chil- 
dren, of whom David, Clark, and Daniel Whitman were the sons. The 
latter married a daughter of Joshua Kirkland ; resided most of his life 
on the homestead where he was born and was an honorable and useful 
citizen. 

The longevity of some of the persons above named is somewhat re- 
2 



10 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

markable and worthy of note ; and it is also worth while to call atten- 
tion to the fact that about every man above named was the father of 
quite a large family. For instance: Thomas Wright was the father of 
ten children, Ebenezer Wright, sr., six, E. Wright, jr., nine, Joshua 
Kirkland, eight, Wm. West, six, Asa Colborn, six, Col. D. W. Knight, 
five, Daniel Kirkland, six, Samuel Williams, eight, Abiather Seekill, 
six, Daniel Butts, eight, Elihu Butts, ten. Grant Wheat, nine, Samuel 
Smith, eleven, Asa Smith, six. The yoyng people as they grew up to 
man and womanhood, made a congenial and pleasant society, the more 
especially as about every family in the neighborhood was related by 
blood or connected by marriage with every other family. 

Roswell Fellows died in 1813 at the age of sixty- six years. A few 
years after his death his farm was sold to Milo Lester, excepting half 
an acre, house and lot, reserved for the widow. There Molly Fellows, 
the widow, and her daughter Roxy resided, and there the widow died 
in 1849 ^^ the age of ninety-eight years, six months and twenty- six 
days, lacking three months of the age of Solomon Williams at his death 
the next year. Molly Fellows was a woman of more than ordinary 
strength of mind, body and character. She lived in eventful and per- 
ilous times and to an unusual age. yet she retained her faculties to a 
remarkable degree nearly to the time of her death. The country, which 
was almost an unbroken wilderness when she settled here, she lived to 
see become clear of its forests, abounding in rich and cultivated fields, 
the sites of prosperous and flourishing towns, villages and cities, and the 
abodes of a thrifty and cultivated people. Where she found the wig- 
wam of the savage and the lair of the wild and ferocious beasts, she was 
spared to see those wild and rude habitations displaced by pleasant 
farm houses and palatial residences. In her first residence on the old 
homestead, the wily and suspicious red men of the forest were her near- 
est neighbors and most frequent visitors. On numerous occasions when 
her husband was absent from home, she was obliged to flee with her 



EARLY SETTLEMKNT. 11 

youngest children to the chamber and draw up the ladder after her, and 
thus be beyond the reach of the troublesome Indian, But her kind- 
ness to, and her uniform good treatment of these red men, eventually 
secured their good will; and for many years after she lived on good 
terms with them. Her remains are beside those of her husband on the 
old farm. In 1823 Mr. Lester sold the Roswell Fellows place to Will- 
iam and Warren Rich. The latter in 1826 sold to William Purdy, and 
the latter in 1836 to John Shafer. The latter in 1853 sold some 
eighteen acres to his son John, and in 1856 fifty acres including the old 
homestead to his son, Jabez, The latter sold to P. P. Smith, and it 
subsequently went into the hands of Dr. C. E. Fraser, William G. Den- 
nison and John Dorr. 

Nearly opposite the residence of Roswell Fellows is a road running 
east to the covered bridge over the Mohawk River. Four acres on the 
northeast corner of those two roads were included in Mr. Fellows's lOO 
acres, and it has quite a history. As early as 1800 Nathan Peggs set- 
tled upon that corner and kept a tavern there. Mr. Peggs came from 
Vermont, and settled there about the same time Deacon Nathaniel 
Tracy located on his place further south. Nathan Peggs was the father 
of Mrs. T. G. Halley, and of the late Deacon Peggs, of Rome. He soon 
after moved on the place next north (afterwards Cyrus Fellows's farm) 
and the orchard to the east of the highway and near the present dwell- 
ing there, was planted by Mr. Peggs. He died many years ago, near 
the " California House " on a farm where he then resided. A man 
named Timothy W. Wood succeeded Mr. Peggs in the tavern on that 
corner, and afterwards came Josiah Talmadge, father-in-law of Simeon 
Williams (son of Solomon Williams) After Mr. Talmadge, Benjamin 
Smith, a tailor, lived on that corner. He was father of Nathan, Ed- 
ward and Benjamin Smith and father-in-law of Dr. John P. Hartwell, 
the latter father of H. H. Hartwell, of Rome. Dr. Hartwell succeeded 
Mr. Smith on that place, and resided there at his death. The corner, 



12 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

once so busy in the early days of Rome, has now all the quietness of 
any other farm. The houses once there have long since disappeared, 
and nothing but the memories of the oldest residents furnish evidence 
of its early activity. 

The next fifty acres north of the Roswell Fellows farm belonged to 
his son, Cyrus Fellows, who died there in 1806. A daughter of Cyrus 
Fellows (Fanny) became the wife of Benjamin W. Williams; Caroline, 
another daughter, was the wife of Israel Starks, jr.; Polly, another 
daughter, the wife of Samuel H. Davis ; George P., another child of 
Cyrus Fellows, went south at an early age, became a permanent resi- 
dent there, and died in Athens, Georgia. In 1823 the heirs of Cyrus 
Fellows sold the farm to Warren Rich. Rich sold to Ebenezer Gould 
in 1826; the latter to David Shafer in 1836. It subsequently passed 
into the hands of Nathaniel Brainerd, John Treadway, Jonathan B. Clark, 
W. W. West, John Shafer, jr., Henry Blazier, William Adams and Dan- 
iel Smith, jr. 

Gates Peck was the owner of the fifty acres next north of the Cyrus 
Fellovvs farm, and Mr. Peck's land extended to the Rome town line. 
He came to Rome in 1803 and was a man of positive character and 
vigorous understanding. He was in the war of 18 12 and went to Sack- 
ett's Harbor in the defense of the northern frontier from British inva- 
sion. He died on the old homestead where his son-in-law, Capt. Dan- 
iel Smith, jr., afterward resided. On the southeast side of Gates Peck's 
old farm there stood a log house seventy or eighty years ago, where 
resided a man named Holcomb. At that house the eccentric Lorenzo 
Dow was a visitor when he came and preached in this locality, as he 
frequently did, and there Mr. Dow married his wife. On the south side 
of the highway leading from Roswell Fellows's old residence to the 
covered bridge, and perhaps one hundred rods from that residence are 
the remains of an old orchard and other signs of a former habitation. 
There Hope Smith resided from about 18 13, to his death in the spring 



EARLY SETTLEMENT. 13 

of 1823. He was born in Rhode Island, married early, and was a thrifty- 
farmer in that State at the time of the Revolution ; he was in the ser- 
vice of his country during the stormy period, and lost most of his prop- 
erty. About the close of that war, in addition to his pecuniary embar- 
rassment, a domestic misfortune befel him ; his wife, after bearing him 
two sons and a daughter, became a confirmed maniac, and so remained 
until her death.- He married a second wife about 1787, and the next 
year removed to Albany, in this State, and in the fall of 1794, to Floyd, 
in this county, and thence to Rome as above narrated. Mr. Smith pos- 
sessed strong native talents, was temperate and industrious, but the loss 
of his property and his domestic afflictions seem to have discouraged 
him, and to have made his future life one of ill luck. A painful and 
protracted disease broke down the vigor of his intellect, and almost 
destroyed his memory. He was the father, and his second wife was the 
mother, of Rev. Stephen R. Smith, the noted Universalist minister and 
the founder of Clinton Liberal Institute. It was while Hope Smith re- 
sided on that little farm on the cross road, struggling with poverty, that 
his dutiful son, Stephen R., was pursuing his studies, teaching school 
and at the same time contributing largely to his father's support. 



U OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 



CHAPTER II. 

CANTERBURY HILL. 

This is some three miles north of the business portion of Rome, 
and is from lOO to 150 feet above the valley of the Mohawk, a mile 
distant to the west. From the summit of that eminence a delightful 
view is obtained of the surrounding country. To the southeast can be 
seen a basin in which nestles the city of Utica ; more to the southward 
looms up to the eye the hill on which Hamilton College stands ; in the 
distance are dimly seen the shores of the Oneida Lake ; while still 
further away are seen the Stockbridge hills and rolling meadows and 
cultivated fields of the county of Madison. This locality was settled 
very early. 

The best accounts are that Zaccheus Abell was the first settler 
on Canterbury Hill. He came from Lisbon, New London county, 
Conn. He married Eunice Colburn, daughter of Cornelius Colburn, 
and sister of the wife of D. W. Knight, sr., all of Lisbon. The pre- 
cise year Mr Abell came to this locality cannot now be learned. The 
account books of George Huntington & Co. show that Mr. Abell be- 
gan trading at the store of that firm in November, 1794, thus showing 
that he was a resident here two years before Rome was formed into a 
town. As Mr. Knight came in 1790 no doubt Mr. Abell came soon 
after He settled on the top of Canterbury Hill, in a log house east 
of the highway, and on the next farm north of Mr. Knight's. Prior to 
1 8 10 he erected a frame house, and there he died about 1813, leaving 
a widow and one child. Rev. Horace Bushnell, now of Cincinnati, but 
who resided on Canterbury Hill over fifty years ago, writes as follows 
of Mr. Abell: "He was industrious and a kind-hearted man, and 



CANTERBURY HILL. 15 

respected for his social virtues " The only child of Mr. Abell (Clar- 
issa) became the wife of Isaac Saxton, and the family resided on the 
old homestead until after the death of Clarissa, wliich occurred about 
1834 At her death she left four minor children and her mother sur- 
viving her, and in 1835 Philander Selden became the purchaser of the 
premises. Mrs. Abell died many years ago at the residence of Mr. 
Knight. 

The next settler on Canterbury Hill after Mr. Abell, and the first 
one from Canterbury, Conn., was Gideon Butts. He and his family 
came in the spring of 1803. Gideon and John BuUs were brothers. 
Both of them had married sisters of D. W. Knight, sr. John Butts 
came the same year, but later, and he settled upon the 100 acres next 
south of his brother-in law, Mr. Knight, at the foot of Canterbury Hill. 
The family Bible of the Butts family has this record in it; "Mr. 
Gideon Butts and wife ; Elihu Butts and wife (son of Gideon) ; moved 
from Canterbury, Conn., to Rome, New York State, April 13, 1803 ; 
arrived at Rome the 24th of April on Sunday. Moved to the new 
house on Wednesday, 20th of November, 1816." These dates are 
doubtless correct, and they show not only the time that the family 
came, but also that they were eleven days in making the journey. 

At that time Gideon Butts was forty-five years of age, and the father 
of three children, viz.: Ruby, Daniel and Elihu. The first named was 
the eldest and then the wife of Silas Wightman, also of Canterbury, 
but who subsequently settled on Penny street. Daniel was the next 
oldest. He came in the fall of 1802, when twenty years old, and 
erected a log house for the family, on the four corners on Canterbury 
Hill, where Mr. Eychaner resided some years ago, and where 
Mr. Story subsequently lived. He then returned to Connecticut, 
took to him a wife, and came back to Rome with his father and 
brother Elihu in 1803, the latter then being nineteen years old 
and married, he and his brother Daniel having married sisters. The 



16 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

county records show that in December, 1804, Gideon Butts pur- 
chased of Benjamin Hunth'ng 313 acres in lot 48, Fonda's Patent, that 
purchase extending northerly towards the big gulf, and easterly so as 
to include the residence of Alex. Bowman. The east and west road 
was nearly the boundary line. The price was $1,882. 

About 1810 Gideon Butts erected a frame house on the north and 
south road, and north of his log house. In 1808 he conveyed to his 
son Elihu fifty acres off from the northwest corner. Elihu erected a 
frame house on his land, north of his father, in 18 16, and it was into 
that " new house " he and his family moved on " Wednesday, 20th of 
November, 18 16," as mentioned in the family Bible. Daniel Butts 
erected a house about the same time on his land, and there he lived 
until he sold out to a Mr. Burgess, and the latter to Alex. Bowman. 
Deacon Daniel Butts died on Huntington street, in Rome village, in 
in 1859. at the age of seventy-seven, universally respected, and leaving 
a large family of children. He was a surveyor of considerable note, as 
will be remembered by older residents. Gideon Butts died on his old 
homestead in 1830, at the age of seventy- two. Elihu Butts died on 
his homestead May 31, 1829, at the age of forty-five, and his widow 
died in 1868 at the age of eighty- three. Ruby (Butts) Wightman died 
in 1846 at the age of sixty- five. 

About 1802 Grant Wheat, brought up in Lisbon, Conn., came from 
Norwich, in that State, to what is now Wright Settlement. That year 
he worked on the farm and in the woods of D. W. Knight, sr., for a 
year, and then made a brief visit to his native State. When he returned 
to this locality in 1803 he, in December of that year, married a daugh- 
ter of John Butts, and went to living in the log house along with 
Zaccheus Abell. Grant Wheat took a contract of Mr. Huntling of 
fifty acres of land on the south side of the east and west road on 
Canterbury Hill, and next east of Mr. Abell's forty-eight acres, and 
about 1804 erected a log house. In 1806 he had a deed of his land 





m 



JAS. S. ABEEL. 



CANTERBURY HILL. 17 

for $300, and in 1820 a frame house was erected, and where he lived 
until his death in 1861 at the age of eighty-one years. His was the 
third family that settled on that hill. 

The next settler on Canterbury Hill was Abiather Seekill. He came 
from Canterbury, Conn., as early as 1803, and settled upon a small 
parcel of land nearly opposite the house of Alex. Bowman, and the 
the next east of Grant Wheat, on the same side of that highway. 
That he arrived here as early as that year is evidenced by his 
signature to two subscription lists gotten up in 1802, to pay a minister 
in that year, of the First Religious Society of Rome. That was three 
years before any regular minister was installed. The first list bears 
date in January and the other in August of that year. On the first 
Mr. Seekill subscribed fifty cents and on the other " one bushel of 
corn." For the erection of the church edifice in 1807 he subscribed 
$5. Mr. Seekill, about 1813, with his two daughters, and four sons, 
removed to what was then known as the " Genesee country." 

As early as 1806 there was living next east of Mr. Seekill's place, and 
on the same side of the road, Samuel Smith. That he was here is at- 
tested by his subscription of $5 to erect the church edifice, the list bear- 
ing date December, 1806 He had a family of eleven children and was 
from Canturbury. One of the daughters married Joshua Wells, of 
Western. The rest of the family, in 1827, moved to Waterloo, or in 
that vicinity, and the other children married there. 

Asa Smith, brother of the above (and the two married sisters), was 
also from Canterbury, but he did not come until about 181 1; he settled 
next east of his brother, on the north side of the highway. He died in 
the spring of 181 5 leaving a widow and three children. His widow be- 
came the second wife of Jason Bushnell, and step -mother of Rev. 
Horace Bushnell. One of the daughters of As^ married Daniel Bush- 
nell, and who resides in Oberlin, Ohio. One of the sons (Asa, jr.,) 
learned his trade of Rufus Barnes, and married a sister of Ralph W, 



18 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Kirkland. Samuel is down for "$5.00 in masonry" on the above sub- 
scription list for the erection of the church edifice, thus showing that he 
was here as early as 1806. He was from Canturbury, and resided, in 
181 1, on the east corner ofZaccheus Abell's land, but in 1815 he resided 
on the south side of the above road, next east of Asa Smith. His wife 
was half-sister of Asa and Samuel Smith. They had a family of eight 
children ; most of them moved to the western part of this State. Mr. 
Williams died in 181 5. One of his daughters married Harry, a brother 
of Bill Watson. 

As early as 1806 Hazel Lathrop came from Norwich, Conn., and set- 
tled east of Samuel Wilson, and on the last farm in Rome on that high- 
way before reaching the town of Floyd. The above-mentioned sub- 
scription list for the erection of the church edifice has Mr. Lathrop's 
name down for $5. Mr. Lathrop married Abby Kirkland, a niece of 
Joshua Kirkland. He went to Sackett's Harbor in the war of 18 12, and 
was a captain of one of the companies. After the war, and about 1 8 1 5 , 
Mr. Lathrop moved from the above farm on to one further north, in 
Western, and there lived for a couple of years. In the fall of 181 7 he 
left his family and his debts in the night time, went to Ohio, and then to 
Virginia, where he died. His wife, an estimable woman, took her chil- 
dren and went back to her father's home in Springfield, Mass., where 
she died. The children are worthy and respectable people. 

Jason Bushnell, father of Rev. Horace Bushnell and grandfather of 
Rev. Albert Bushnell, two somewhat noted ministers, came to Canter- 
bury Hill in 181 1 from Connecticut. He had served in the Revolution- 
ary army and married a sister of Joshua Kirkland. When he arrived in 
Rome, Mr. Bushnell occupied a log house standing on land of Gideon 
Butts on the four corners at the hill. Mr. Bushnell was then forty- 
seven years old and had ten children. In 1845 ^e removed to Cincin- 
nati and died there in 1849. 

To the foregoing account of the early settlers of that locality may be 



CANTERBURY HILL. 19 

added the following record of the location of the various farms and 
homes as they were in i8i i, when Mr. Bushnell came, even at the cost 
of some repetition. 

At that time the residence of the late Andrew Vandenburgh on the 
road running through Wright Settlement to Western, by way of 
the big gulf, was the residence of Joseph Wright. The next place 
north was the residence of Thomas Wright, father of Joseph, who came 
with his brother Ebenezer and his nephew Ebenezer, jr., from Weathers- 
field, Conn., in 1789 and settled there, as elsewhere recorded ; William 
West resided in that neighborhood in 1811 as he had for ten or twelve 
years previous. On the three corners next north was the residence of 
Dr. Clarke, and the next residence north was that of Joshua Kirkland, 
who died in 1833 at the age of seventy- seven. It was in that house 
that the first steps were taken to organize the First Religious Society of 
of Rome. E. W. Wright lived in j8ii where his son, E. Wright, jr., 
resided in recent years. The next residence north on the west side of 
the road was that of John Butts, who came from Canterbury, Conn., 
about 1803 and died on the homestead in 1820. On the next place 
north, at the foot of Canterbury Hill, lived Col. D. W. Knight, who 
came from Lisbon, Conn., about 1790 and died in 1830. His son, D. 
W. Knight, afterwards occupied the place. 

North of the school house in 181 1 Zacheus Abell lived; he was from 
Lisbon and died about 181 3. On the north end of his farm, and on the 
four corners, was a log house where Samuel Williams resided in 181 1 ; 
he subsequently moved into a house further toward the Floyd town 
line; he, too, was from Connecticut. About 1810 Asa Colburn built a 
house and settled on the west side of the north and south road, on the 
four corners ; he died there at the age of eighty years ; he, too, was from 
Lisbon, Conn., and brought with him his aged parents. North of the 
four corners was the residence of Gideon Butts, with whom then resided 
his son. Elihu and wife. Gideon was a brother of John Butts, and came 



20 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

from Canterbury about 1802. Gideon Butts died in 1830, at the age 
of seventy- two. Eliiiu died in 1829, aged forty-five years. Daniel 
Kirkland, son of Joshua, hved on the farm next north, known as the 
" Gulf farm " ; he came from Connecticut about 1807 5 he lived in dif- 
ferent places, was steward for a while of the Oneida Institute at Whites- 
boro, moved west and died in Wisconsin. Returning to the four cor- 
ners on the hill and going east, the first residence on the south side of 
the road was that of Grant Wheat, a native of Norwich, Conn., and 
came to Rome about 1802. He died in 186 1 at the age of eighty- two ; 
his wife died a few months previous at the age of seventy-four. Next 
east of Mr. Wheat and on the same side of the road was the residence 
of Abiather Seekill ; he moved there from Connecticut very early in the 
present century, and left Rome for the Genesee country about 1813 ; in 
his place came Mr. Preston, a brother- in law of Mr. Colburn. Daniel 
Butts, son of Gideon, lived next east, on the place known as the " Bur- 
gess " or Alex. Bowman place. Mr. Butts died in Rome forty or more 
years ago ; he, too, was from Connecticut, coming to Rome a short 
time previous to his father. On the south side of the road and a little 
further east, Samuel Smith resided ; his brother, Asa, lived further east 
on the north side of the road, where he died in 18 16. Both of the 
Smiths were from Canterbury. Next east (and at the Floyd town line) 
Hazel Lathrop resided. He came there from Connecticut about 1807. 
He was captain of a company (Bill Watson, lieutenant) in the war of 
1812, and went with others to Sackett's Harbor to defend the northern 
frontier from invasion. About 1817 he went to Ohio, thence to Vir- 
ginia, where he died. The Bushnells resided on the east and west road 
near the " big rock," a little way from the Floyd line. 

In the fall of 18 10 Asa and Walter Coburn (brothers) came from Lis- 
bon, Conn., and located on the four corners on Canterbury Hill. The 
next year Asa erected a house nearly opposite Mr. Abell's residence 
and in the fall went back for his aged parents (Mr. and Mrs Cornelius 



CANTERBURY HILL. 21 

Colburn) and brought them on, the father being then eighty-one years 
old. Asa was twice married, both times in Connecticut. By his first 
wife four children were born; one married Silas W. Butts (son of I^lihu 
Butts), and one became the wife of George Holzman, a former Roman. 
The second wife of Asa Colburn was Susan E. Parish, an aunt of Rev. 
A. L Bushnell, the well known missionary. By this second marriage 
two children were born, one of them, L. Manning Colburn, of Wright 
Settlement. Asa Colburn, a worthy and esteemed citizen, was captain 
in the 157th Regiment of Infantry in 1818, and his commission was 
signed by De Witt Clinton, then governor of this State. He died in 
1868 at the age of eighty-five years, within a few rods of where he first 
settled, and where he had lived nearly sixty years. His father died in 
1824 at the age of ninety three years, and his mother four years later, 
at the age of eighty four. Walter Colburn moved to Rome village and 
old residents remember of his living not far from 1820, and having a 
meat shop. 

Joseph Preston married Nabby Colburn, only daughter of Cornelius, 
and came from Lisbon soon after 181 1. He located on the place va- 
cated by Mr. Seekill, and had a numerous family. They moved from 
Rome many years ago, and she died in 1842, in Wayne county, in this 
State, and the husband subsequently moved to Wisconsin and died 
there. 

Prior to 1800 John Ely came from New Jersey to this locality, and 
was for some time the right hand man of John Barnard. The firm of 
Thomas Selden, Roswell Edgerton and John Ely was formed, and they 
were extensive jobbers and large contractors, and engaged in erecting 
buildings and other enterprises. Before 1800 Mr. Ely leased of George 
Clinton 288 acres by the "big gulf," next north of the Butts farm. Mr. 
Ely, prior to 1807, resided on the "hill," west of the highway. About 
that year Daniel Kirkland, from Lisbon, Conn., located on the place 
which Mr. Ely then vacated, who went on the town line road north of 



22 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

the big gulf, and subsequently moved near the Martindale place, where 
he died. He left a large family of children, among whom were Henry 
F. Ely, David and James Ely, who moved to Illinois, and the late John 
Ely of Rome. 

About 1 815 Thomas Jewett came from Canterbury, Conn., and set- 
tle upon the place east of where Daniel Kirkland first located, and there 
he resided until his death. His second son, Elijah Jewett, succeeded 
to the ownership and lived there until about 1839, when he sold out to 
John Lawrence, and went to reside on the road east of Grant Wheat's 
residence. He subsequently moved west and died there. Elijah Jewett 
married first Ruth, the only daughter of Philander Waters, who many 
years ago resided on Penny street. 

James Collins was also from Canterbury, Conn , and he came about 
1 8 16. He married Eliza, a daughter of Thomas Jewett, and located 
east of Grant Wheat, and died there. His widow returned to Canter- 
bury. Clarissa, a daughter of Thomas Jewett, became the wife of Levi 
Otis, a son of Joseph Otis, one of the pioneer settlers of Rome. She 
died in Clayton, Jefferson county. ' 

About 1820 and later, there lived near the " big rock," Daniel Kirk- 
land and his father Joshua, and William Kittrick and others. About 
181 5 Lemuel Williams and his brother Loren came to Rome from Can- 
terbury. They were brothers of Samuel Williams, heretofore men- 
tioned, and both died here. 

Latimer Bailey, who married a daughter of Joseph Otis, lived over 
sixty or seventy years ago on Canterbury Hill, west of the present 
school house. He died in Lee about 1877 at the age of ninety-two. 
In mentioning the Canterbury school house, it brings to mind, that it, 
too, has a local history. Over eighty years ago, a log school house, 
the first one on the hill, stood on the north side of the east and west 
road, east of the Story corner. Benjamin Wheat said that the first 
school he ever attended was at that log school house. Not far from 



CANTERBURY HILL. 23 

iSio a frame one was erected on the brow of the hill south of Mr. 
Abell's house, on the same side of the highway. There Rev. Horace 
Bushnell attended school in i8i6, and taught there eight years later. 
Wm. N. Adams taught in that school house prior to 1815, and in that 
school house the great revival meetings were held in 18 14, and again 
in 1826, the latter year under Rev. Mr. Finney, and where evening 
prayer meetings were held and so largely attended. About 1840 that 
school house was sold and converted into a woodshed, and a new school 
house erected on the opposite side of the highway, but nearer the 
corners. 



24 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 



CHAPTER III. 

THE RIDGE AND OTHER LOCALITIES. 

In June. 1790, one of the owners of Fonda's Patent leased to- Elisha 
Walsworth 159 acres, which included what is now known as the Ridge. 
Mr. Walsworth's lease required him within ten years to plant on his 
land an apple tree for every two acres. It is not improbable that in 
the orchard which stood fifteen years ago near the water works res- 
ervoir were some of the trees planted by Mr. Walsworth a hundred 
years ago. Mr. Walsworth sub- leased parts of his lands to various 
persons and by about the year 1806 quite a collection of houses had 
been built and some business was carried on. Not far from that year 
a grist mill and saw mill were built on the west side of the river at the 
Ridge a little way below the bridge. This grist mill was doubtless the 
next one built after that of Mr. Fellows. About the year 18 12, the 
little settlement at the Ridge began to grow rapidly. In that year 
Samuel Wardwell, of Rhode Island, father of the late Judge Wardwell, 
settled there, bought out the various leases, demolished the old grist 
mill, built a new one and carried on quite an extensive business. In 
181 5 he sold his mill privileges and about forty of his three hundred 
acres of land to David Driggs for $13,000, and the next year the latter 
sold to John Driggs. About that time a carding factory, a fulling mill 
and a woolen or satinet factory was operated, furnishing employment 
to many persons and giving a busy and thriving air to the place. Dur- 
ing that active period the inhabitants of the locality believed that their 
settlement was to become the business center of Oneida county. 

Elmer Hill was named from Hezekiah Elmer, who came from Ver- 




GORDON N. BISSELL. 



THE RIDGE AND OTHER LOCALITIES. 25 

moiit about 1792, with five sons and two daughters, and settled there. 
At about the same time Col. A. Wheelock also settled there and opened 
the first tavern north of Fort Stanwix on the Hill. Not far from 1797 
Dr. Zenas Hutchinson, from Connecticut, settled at the Hill on a seventy 
acre farm. He was a good physician and had a large practice for forty 
years; he died in 1853. Dr. Enoch Alden came to Rome about 1798 
and had his office where the store of A. M. Jackson & Co. is situated ; 
later he removed to Elmer Hill. 

In the year 18 17 Dr. H. H. Pope left his paternal home in Vermont 
when sixteen years old and started westward on foot, to seek his for- 
tune. He had an uncle at Elmer Hill, Dr. Henry Smith, and thither 
the young man went ; he read medicine with his uncle for a time. 
While Elmer Hill thus had several early physicians, Rome itself had 
only two prior to 1800 — Dr. Mathevv Brown, jr., and Dr. Allen. Dr. 
Arba Blair was probably the next physician as he was a student in 
1803. 

About the year 1796 a number of families came into this region from 
the town of Stamford, Vt. Among them was Silas Matteson and family, 
who located on what became the county poor farm ; he was father of 
the late Simon Matteson, and grandfather of O. B. Matteson. Esquire 
Smith settled where George Hamill lived in recent years, coming here 
from the same locality. 

In the Greenway and Hatch's Corners districts in the southwestern 
part of the town, early settlers were Richard Brown, who purchased a 
farm in 1800, moved upon it in 1801, and in 18 16 deeded it to his son, 
Chauncey Brown; J. B. Green, Jonathan Williams, and Daniel W. 
Hazard. On the road from Verona Mills to Rome were Daniel Will- 
iams, Amos Scofil, John C. Brewster, Lyman Thayer, and others, all of 
whom have left descendants to perpetuate their names and works. On 
the old road from Oneida Castle to Rome, early settlers were Richard 
Brown, jr., Joseph King, Eleazer Dunham ; the farm of the latter sub- 



26 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

sequently passed to Mathew Brown and later to Capt. Daniel Greene, 
father of Isaac G. Greene ; still later to others. Joseph King's farm 
was sold to Joshua Greene, half brother of Capt. Daniel Greene ; later it 
was purchased by Hoxie Hazard, father of Daniel W. Hazard. Ephraim 
Covel was another early settler in that region and carried on a small 
tanning business on his farm, which he sold to Isaac G Greene. 



THE VILLAGE IN EARLY YEARS. 27 



CHAPTER IV. 

THE VILLAGE IN EARLY YEARS. 

In tracing the history of the early settlements on the site of Rome 
village we may properly begin with the year 1789, when Ebenezer 
Wright came here and found the following dwellings standing: 

Two log houses on the road to Newville, near what is known as the 
McCutcheon place, in one of which Col. William Colbraith (afterwards 
first sheriff of Oneida county) then resided ; a log house near the 
site of the United States Arsenal, in which Jedediah Phelps then lived ; 
a log house near the late residence of Numa Leonard (now owned by 
Charles E. Saulpaugh), and another one near the present residence of 
H. K. White. There was also a frame house — and the only one — near the 
site of G. N. Bissell's present residence, and another log house near the 
present site of St. Peter's Catholic church, into which three families of 
newcomers removed a week after Mr. Wright's arrival In the house 
near the fort were then living the Ranney family, Bill Smith, and a 
Dutchman named Dumont. A man named Armstrong lived at the 
junction of Wood and Canada Creeks. 

A description of what has always been called the Expense Lot which 
embraces a part of the site of Rome, is essential at this point. 

On the 4th of June, 1785, a survey of the Oriskany Patent into 
allotments began, as described in the history of land titles in the other 
volume of this work. Previous to surveying the allotments a certain 
parcel was surveyed off to be sold at auction to pay the expense of the 
survey. This lot has ever since been known as the " Expense Lot." 
As originally set off it contained 697 acres ; its boundaries are about 
as follows, viz.: 



28 OTJR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Commencing on the south side of the Mohawk, and not far from Mr. Parry's 
brick3'^ard; theuce running southwesterly towards the Poor House, about 240 rods; 
then northwesterly about a mile, towards Canal Village ; then northeast about 150 
rods, towards St. Joseph's church, passing south of that building, and crossing the 
track of the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad at Henry street, and up 
that street to near the track of the Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburg Railroad, 
where Expense street extended would cross it ; thence north up that street to a point 
about half way between Court and Embargo streets; thence easterly, crossing the 
blocks diagonally, and passing near the house of Mr. Charles Keith, on the corner 
of Court and Washington streets, and so on diagonally across West Park to James 
street ; and thence nearly down Park alley, and crossing the Black River Canal near 
the bathing house of H. W. Barnes, and so on to the Mohawk; then following that 
stream down to the starting point. 

On the 1 2th of November, 1785, the agents who surveyed the 
*' Expense Lot" and divided the patent into allotments, pubHshed a 
notice that on the 9th of January, 1786, they would meet at Butlers- 
burg, at the inn of Myndert W. Quackenbush, " for the purpose of at- 
tending to the balloting for, and drawing by lot," the several parcels 
surveyed. At that meeting there were present the commissioners, the 
agents, Judge Visscher, and Jelles Fonda. None of the owners of the 
patent appeared, and the drawings took place then and there. The 
James De Lancey one- fifth was set off to the State, one of the parcels 
thus disposed of being a tract of 960 acres in the northwest corner of 
the patent, including among other lands the Rome cemetery, and most 
of the farm formerly owned by Asa C. Huntington, and later by Dr. 
H. H. Pope ; also another parcel (460 acres) east of Factory Village. 
No others in this immediate vicinity were set off to the State. The 
portion of the city east of Washington street and next north of the 
" Expense Lot " was set off to William Livingston and Alida Hoffman, 
and contained 460 acres, including the old burying-ground, the blocks 
where stand the Presbyterian church, the court house, St. Peter's 
church, the East Park, and on across the river so as to take in Factory 
Village. The portion west of Washington street and north and west 
of the " Expense Lot," including West Rome, was set off to those 



THE VILLAGE IN EARLY YEARS. 29 

claiming under George Clarke ; the portion of the " Rome Swamp," 
south of the " Expense Lot," and between that line and the County 
House, was set off to those claiming under Thomas Wenham. 

March 17, 1786, the " Expense Lot" was put up at auction, and bid 
ofT by Dominick Lynch, then a merchant of New York city, for 
;^2,250. This was his first purchase in this vicinity, and the germ of 
the Lynch estate in Rome. 

Erom the price paid for the " Expense Lot " it seems that Mr. Lynch 
considered it valuable, although the southern portion of it was so 
swampy as to be entirely ineligible for building lots. In fact it is not 
known whether he ever entertained an idea of converting that part of 
it into building lots. In July, 1786, he purchased of William Living- 
ston and Alida Hoffman the 460 acres set off to them, thus arranging 
his property here in better shape, and in 1787 he purchased of the 
" Commissioners of Eorfeitures " the 460 acres east of F'actory Village, 
which had been set off to the State. Before 1800 he purchased other 
contiguous parcels, thus becoming the owner of about 2,000 acres, 
nearly or quite in a compact body. 

It has been mentioned that when Ebenezer Wright came to Rome, 
in 1789, there was but one frame house on the site of what is now the 
city. In 1793 John Barnard kept a tavern on or near the site of the 
old Baptist church. In the spring of the same year there came to the 
place a young unmarried man, who became the first merchant in 
Rome, and a prominent man among the settlers. This was George 
Huntington, the father of Edward Huntington, esq., now of Rome. 
He brought a stock of merchandise with him, and set up business in 
the same house kept by Barnard as a tavern. The next year, 1794, 
he built a dwelling on the site of the residence in later years of Dr. 
Cobb. 

In 1795 a grist mill was erected on Wood Creek, not far from the 
site of the United States Arsenal. This mill was an important institu- 



30 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

tion for that day, and the next day a boat load of corn to be ground 
into meal came from Ontario county, via Seneca River, Oneida River, 
Oneida Lake, and Wood Creek, and when the meal was ready the 
bateau returned with its load by the same route This was at that 
time the nearest mill of the kind to the inhabitants of Ontario county. 

It is not positively known at what time Dominick Lynch laid out the 
plat of this village, but it was as early as 1796. He gave it the name 
of Lynchville. The blocks in the village were 600 by 400 feet, with 
eighteen lots in each block. The numbering of lots began on the south 
side of Dominick street, at what is now the Black River Canal, and in- 
cluded from one upwards the space between that point and Wood 
Creek on the west, where they crossed to the opposite side of the 
street and numbered back (Fort Stanwix block being No. 12), then 
crossed over Liberty street and numbered back again to Wood Creek, 
and so back and forth. On the first map of the place the only streets 
shown were Dominick and James About the year 1800 another 
map was made, showing Dominick, Washington, James, Liberty, Mad- 
ison, Court, Embargo, Jay, Thomas, and Bloomfield streets. None 
of these, except the first four, were opened to any extent until 1850. 

It is stated that prior to 1 800 a number of the then leading citi- 
zens of the place were together, and the subject of a name for the 
embryo village was broached. George Huntington, wlio had become 
at the time an extensive lot owner in the vicinity, spoke of the many 
classical names given to places in the State, but remarked that none 
had been named after the " Eternal City," and he therefore suggested 
Rome, which was adopted, partly from the suggestion and partly from 
the fact that the town (formed in 1796) bore the same name. Of the 
streets ot Rome, Dominick was named for Mr. Lynch, the original pro- 
prietor ; James was named after his son; and Washington took its 
name from the great chieftain then living, whose deeds were fresh in 
the minds of the people. 



THE VILLAGE IN EARLY YEARS. :U 

Mr. Lynch adopted the plan of giving durable and perpetual leases 
of his lots, rather than absolute titles, and for many years the system 
was a source of trouble to the citizens. An animal rent was reserved, 
payable in money or grain, and in case of non-payment the property 
was to revert to the owner. 

The first conveyances (durable leases) given by Mr. Lynch were in 
1796; on the 30th of July of that year twenty eight lots were leased 
to the following persons, viz., Matthew Brown, jr., Michael McGrath, 
Sheldon Logan (what is now the Empire block), Joshua Hathaway 
(Elm Row), and John Barnard, the latter leasing twenty-two lots on 
Dominick street. Three years later, in 1779, the site of Merrill's 
block and other premises were leased to George Huntington per- 
petually, at an annual rent of twelve bushels of wheat, payable May 
I of each year. It is possible there were also other leases in Lynch- 
ville where the rent was to be paid in grain. 

In the southern, or swampy portion of Mr. Lynch's purchase, he 
laid out sixty lots of four and one half acres each, which became 
known as " Pepper- corn lots." Parties leasing lots in Lynchville 
usually had one of these lots thrown in as a "bonus." They were at 
that time considered as of little or no value, and the rent reserved on 
each one was a pepper-corn, payable on the first day of May in each 
year, if lawfully demanded, for the term of the next ten thousand 
years, and after twenty cents annually for each lot ! 

John Barnard, already mentioned, was one of the most enterprising 
of Rome's early citizens, and a favorite with Mr. Lynch. He built 
many of the first edifices, and entered into the work of founding and 
building up a city with a zeal deserving of better results. He finally 
became involved to such an extent that he was forced to make an as- 
signment, and accordingly, in 1799, he conveyed seventy-two acres of 
" Pepper-corn lots " to one Caleb Putnam, a tanner. This tract in- 
cluded the land on which now stand the Armstrong and Beecham 



32 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

blocks, south of the Erie Canal and west of James street, and south 
from that, taking in the Railroad Hotel and depot buildings. Mr. Put- 
nam's house stood near the canal of the Western Inland Lock Naviga- 
tion Company, a short distance east of James street. His tannery was 
in the rear, and nearest the canal. The barn occupied a portion of the 
space, and the balance of the triangle formed by James street, the 
railroad, and the canal was occupied by vats and a bark mill, and cov- 
ered with tan bark This tannery was the first one put in operation in 
this part of the country, and did quite an extensive business. In 1819, 
while Mr. Putnam was inspecting some timber in the woods, he fell 
upon a log, and a projecting knot penetrated his abdomen, inflicting 
wounds from the effects of which he died. He was buried by the 
Masonic fraternity. After his death the tannery was carried on for a 
time by Horace N. Carr, but finally went to decay. 

In all the early leases from Mr. Lynch the land they cover is de- 
scribed as being in " Lynchville," town of Rome, and county of 
Herkimer, the lots being numbered on a map made by William Wes- 
ton. In the subsequent conveyances, for a number of years, they 
are described in the same way, the name of Rome not being used 
except in speaking of the town. William Weston was the same in- 
dividual who constructed the canal of the Western Inland Lock Navi- 
gation Company, and was an English engineer of considerable repute. 
He made the map of Lynchville for its proprietor, and subsequently 
returned to England, from whence he had been called to construct the 
above-mentioned canal. 

This canal, which was two miles in length, was opened for use in 
1797, and extended from the Mohawk, near McCutcheon Place, to 
Wood Creek, at the United States Arsenal, having a capacity for Dur- 
ham boats of forty tons burden. Bateaux drawing two feet of water, 
and carrying from three to fifteen tons, could pass, although with 
considerable difficulty, in dry seasons. It was estimated that in 1812 




CALVERT COMSTOCK. 



THE VILLAGE IN EARLY YEARS. 33 

the number of boats passing through this canal was 300, with 1,500 
tons of merchandise. Gen. Phihp Schuyler was president and a direc- 
tor of the company, and Dominick Lynch and Col. Marinus Willett 
were also directors. Peter Colt, who lived at the time near Mc- 
Cutcheon Place, superintended the construction of the work; he was 
continuous superintendent, and George Huntington collector, from 
1797 until the completion of this section of the Eric Canal in 1820. 

Of Fort Stanwix in September, 1791, Elkanah Watson wrote as fol- 
lows : 

The situation of Fort Stanwix appears destined to become a great city ; it lies in 
an open plain, healthy and exactly at the point where the eastern and western wa- 
ters unite. There is a large clearing about the old fort with two or three scattering 
houses. No progress has, however, been made since I attended the treaty here in 
1788, although the plan of the city is now contemplated. 

In September, 1799, President D wight, of Yale College, visited Rome 

and in his " Book of Travels," thus describes what he saw here : 

The village of Rome is a very unpromising copy of the great exemplar from which 
it has derived its name. The land on which it is built is poor, and surrounded by 
alders or half starved trees. The houses are about twenty in number, and decent in 
their appearance ; the whole aspect is uninviting. The proprietor of the ground, a 
gentleman of New York, believing, as proprietors usually do, that his lands will 
soon be very valuable, has taken effectual care to prevent them becommg so by dis- 
tributing them into small house-lots, demanding excessive rents, and adopting other 
unwise measures. The canal, through which, when the outlets are open, runs a 
sprightly stream, adds not a little cheerfulness to the village. Nor is this the only 
benefit derived from it by the inhabitants. The base of their settlement is com- 
posed almost wholly of small round stones. The canal being dug to a depth con- 
siderably lower than their cellars, heretofore wet and troublesome, has effectually 
drained them. The water also, in the upper part of the wells, which was of a bad 
quality, has by the same means been drawn off; and the remainder, flowing from a 
deeper source, has become materially sweeter and better. We examined the locks 
of the canal, and were not a little surprised to see the bricks composing the locks 
already beginning to moulder away, although the work had been finished little more 
than two years. I have seen no good bricks in this region. In fire-places they soon 
burn out ; wherever they are exposed to the weather they speedily dissolve. 



34 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

The bricks mentioned by President Dwight were very large, but they 
did not answer the purpose and were soon afterwards replaced by 
stone. When the Rome Court House was erected in i8o6 these bricks 
were used in its construction. When this building was burned in 1844, 
many of them were again used in the walls of a dwelling on the corner 
of George and Court streets. 

In the year 1804 Mr. Lynch built a dam across the Mohawk some 
distance above the dam of the Inland Canal and from it he conducted a 
large raceway, extending across the land within the bend of the river, 
so that the water taken out at the dam ran through the race to the 
stream at the other side of the bow, where the old red mill was built in 
that year. This was below Factory Village. About i8iO Mr. Lynch 
built a woolen factory on the site afterwards occupied by the soap fac- 
tory of Brodock & Co. This was burned about 1817. Other improve- 
ments made by Mr. Lynch were the building of a cotton factory farther 
down on his raceway prior to 1820, which was burned in 1849; ^ saw 
mill built on the same ground in 1863 and a wrench factory in 1865, 
both of which were also burned. 



TOWN MEETING rROCEEDTNGS. 35 



CHAPTER V. 
TOWN MEETING PROCEEDINGS. 

The territory of the town of Rome (now the city) was originally a 
part of the great town of Whitestown, from which the town of Steuben 
was created April lO, 1792, including what is now Rome. The first 
town meeting for Steuben was held at the house of Seth Ranney " near 
Ft. Stanwix " on the first Tuesday in April, 1793, and Roswell Fellows 
was chosen supervisor, and Jedediah Phelps town clerk. From Steu- 
ben the town of Rome was erected March 4, 1796. The first town 
meeting was held at the dwelling house of Ebenezer Claflin on the first 
Tuesday in April, 1796. There the following officers were elected: 
Supervisor, George Huntington ; town clerk, Ebenezer Wright, jr.; as- 
sessors, Chester Gould, Gershom Waldo, and Daniel W. Knight ; over- 
seers of the poor, Thomas Wright and William Walsworth ; commis- 
sioners of highways, William Smith, Elijah Walls, and Caleb Reynolds; 
constables, Samuel Reynolds and David Waldo ; fence viewers, Mat- 
thew Brown, Asa Tyler and John Williams ; pound masters, Nathan 
Thompson and Matthew Brown ; school commissioners, Chester Gould, 
Sheldon Logan and Abijah Putnam. When the town of Rome was 
formed its territory constituted a part of Herkimer county, and con- 
tinued thus until March 15, 1798, when Oneida county was erected. 
The population of the town when it was formed must have been less 
than 1,000, for the census of 1800 gives it as only 1,400. At that time 
most of the inmediate region was a wilderness through which roamed 
panthers, bears, wolves, wildcats and other beasts of prey. Settlements 
were few and far between. 

At the first town meeting it was voted " that Daniel Haws build a 



3G OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

good pound for the town of Rome near the dwelHng of Benjamin Gil- 
bert." It was also voted, " that hogs be free commoners, if they have 
good and sufficient yokes on; " it was also voted "that every man take 
care of his own rams." 

Following is a concise account of the principal proceedings of the 
town meetings down to the organization of Rome village : 

17^7. — The town meeting was held at the house of Benjamin Gilbert. 
The same overseers of the poor were re-elected. E. Wright, jr., Ches- 
ter Gould and John White, assessors; Calvin Gould, David I. Andrus, 
and Timothy Wood, commissioners of highways ; S. Reynolds, Simeon 
Rood, and Bill Smith, constables. There were elected this year four- 
teen pathmasters. 

lygS. — Town meeting was held at the house of David I. Andrus. 
The same overseers of the poor re-elected and the same constables, 
with Stephen Benedict as third constable ; Gershom Waldo, D. I. An- 
drus and Thomas Wright, jr., assessors ; Jeremiah Steves, Isaac Lathrop 
and E. Wright, jr., commissioners of highways; Joshua Hathaway, E. 
Wright and Roswell Fellows, school commissioners. It was voted 
" that fence viewers should have six cents a day for their services ;" and 
" that horses be free commoners, stallions excepted ; if any stallion be 
found on the common one year old or upwards, the owner to pay five 
pounds to the use of the poor." It was also voted " that hogs to be 
free commoners with yokes six inches long above the neck, three inches 
wide each side and three below, that the yokes be put on by the first of 
May and taken off by the first of November ; that rams be confined from 
September i to November i." 

lygg. — Town meeting held at the same place as last year; E. 
Wright, jr., Moses Wright and Peter Colt, assessors. The same over- 
seers of the poor were elected as in the three preceding years, and the 
same constables as the last year ; Elisha Walworth, Cyrus Fellows and 
Michael Frost, commissioners of highways. This year the road districts 
were formed and numbered and a pathmaster elected for each. 



TOWN MEETING PROCEEDINGS. 37 

1800. — Town meeting was held at the school house. Henry Hunt- 
ington, Moses Wright, and E. Wrigiit, jr., assessors; the same consta- 
bles as the preceding year, and the same overseers of the poor as in the 
four preceding years ; Gershom Hinckley, Silas Perkins, and Elisha 
Walsworth, commissioners of highways; Thomas Moore, Henry Hunt- 
ington, school commissioners; Matthew Brown, D. A. Andrus, pound- 
masters. No school commissioners were elected again until 1814. 

1801. — Having given the chief officers elected in each year for the 
first year of Rome's existence as a town, they will be omitted hereafter 
except as given in later lists. In this year it was voted " that no cattle 
be allowed to run at large between December i and March 20 within 
half a mile of each mill or tavern in town ;" two shillings fine per head 
imposed on the owner for violation of this by-law. An extra town 
meeting was held at the school house November 30 of this year and it 
was there voted " that ten dollars be raised and paid to any person who 
shall kill any panther, wolf, or wild cat in town." It was also voted "that 
a bounty of one cent be paid for each chipping or red squirrel, two 
cents for each gray and black squirrel killed before the first of April." 

1802 — Town meeting held at the school house. It was voted " that 
a bounty be paid of one cent for each blackbird and blue jay and six 
cents for each crow killed in Rome for the ensuing year." Voted 
" that one hundred dollars be raised for support of the poor the ensuing 
year." Voted, "that no cattle or hogs be allowed to run at large within 
half a mile of any mill or tavern from December i to March 20." 
Voted, " that no jack shall be allowed to run at large at any time," un- 
der penalty of five pounds to be paid by the owner for the use of the 
poor. 

1 803. — Town meeting held at the school house. It was voted that fence 
viewers' fee be three shillings per day ; "that there shall be three pounds 
in town, one near the dwelling house of David I. Andrus, one near the 
jail, and one near the house of Matthew Brown, and said pounds shall be 



38 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

built with posts and rails." The bounty of 1801 for kilhng squirrels and 
birds was revived. A special town meeting was lield September 27, 
and one hundred dollars voted to be raised for the support of the poor 
in town. 

1804 — Town meeting held at the house of David I. Andrus. Fence 
viewers voted at four shillings per day. "No bounty to be paid for 
killing wolves." "The same bounty to be paid as heretofore for kill- 
ing squirrels and birds" Voted, '"that each assessor shall procure 
one pound each of nux vomica for the purpose of killing wolves." 
Voted, " that all cattle found at large within half a mile of any tav- 
ern or grist mill to be impounded." 

1805. — Town meeting held at the house of Moses Wright Voted, 
" that no bounty shall be paid for the ensuing year for the destruc- 
tion of crows, squirrels and birds." Voted, " that five dollars be paid 
for every wolf killed in town the ensuing year." Voted, " that one 
hundred dollars be raised for the support of the poor." Voted, " that 
lawful fence shall be four and a half feet high and well erected." The 
poundmasters for this year were Joshua Hathaway, M. Brown, jr., 
and Moses Wright. 

1806. — Town meeting held at the school house. The commissioners 
of highways were James Lynch, Benjamin Wright, and George Hunt- 
ington. Voted " that colts and sheep be restrained from running at 
large at any time." The by laws were quite full this year as to what 
should run at large and what should not 

1807. — Town meeting was held in Stephen White's hotel A pound 
was directed to be built in the southwest part of the town near the 
house of Charles Wylie, and another in the southeast part near the 
house of Clark Putnam, and the pound near Matthew Brown's was dis- 
continued. It was again voted prohibiting " horses, cattle and hogs run- 
ning at large within half a mile of any tavern or grist mill." 

1808. — Town meeting held at Stephen White's hotel Eleven by- 



TOWN MEETING PROCEEDINGS. 39 

laws were passed relative to horses, hogs, jacks, sheep, and cattle, 
running at large. A bounty of fifteen dollars was voted for each wolf 
killed in Rome. 

1809. — Town meeting held at Stephen White's hotel. Voted, "that 
fence viewers' fees lo be two shillings per day." The bounty on wolves 
and panthers was fixed at fifteen dollars. 

1 8 10. — Town meeting was held this year at the court house for the 
first time. The officers were chosen by ballot, one at a time. It was 
voted " that there be no fines on creitures impounded." The bounty 
on wolves was fixed at twenty dollars. 

181 1. — The town meetings from now on until 1852 were held at the 
court house, except in 1 834, in which year it was held at the Coffee 
House, on account of court being in session. In 1852 it was held at 
the Seymour House; in 1853 ^t Jacob Stevens's; in 1856-60 inclusive 
at the Seymour House. In 1861 and each year thereafter until Rome 
was made a city the town meetings were held at the court house. 
Cattle, hogs, horses, etc., were prohibited this year from runin'ng at 
large within half a mile of any tavern or grist mill. 

18 1 2. — A bounty of twenty dollars was voted on wolves Fence 
viewers were allowed two shillings per day. 

1813. — The Legislature having in June, 181 2, appropriated the inter- 
est of a certain fund for the maintenance of common schools and given 
it to towns that should raise a like sum, a special town meeting was held 
in Rome pursuant to call, June 14, 181 3, at which Benjamin Wright, 
Philip Robinson, and Ebenezer Wright were elected school commis- 
sioners, and the following were elected school inspectors: Joshua 
Hathaway, Isaac G. Green, Moses Gillett, Daniel Butts, Moses Wright 
I. N. Hinckley Another special town meeting was held pursuant to 
request of freeholders, September 18, 1813, and $220 were voted to be 
raised for the support of the poor of the town. 

1 8 14. — The school commisioners of the preceding year were re- 



40 OUE CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

elected, and the same inspectors, except Theophilus Waterman in place 
of I. G. Green. Voted that school commissioners should receive one 
dollar per day each ; and that the town raise $500 for support of the 
poor. This year the town was divided into twenty-five road districts, 
and the boundaries defined. 

18 1 5. — Town voted to raise $500 for support of the poor. The town 
clerk was directed to procure a standard brass yard to be kept in his 
office for the use of the town. 

1 8 16. — $500 was voted for the support of the poor. Voted, "that 
the poor be set up at vendue by the overseers of the poor, and go to 
the lowest bidder and be by them supported, and the poormaster shall 
give timely notice of the sale." Voted, " that the town pay a bounty 
of 75 cents on all foxes killed in the town of Rome." 

18 1 7. — No business was transacted in this town meeting except the 
election of officers. 

181 8. — George Huntington, James Sherman, and Samuel Beardsley 
were elected school commissioners. Five hundred dollars was voted for 
the support of the poor. The bounty on wolves was fixed at twenty 
dollars each, and on foxes at six shillings each. It was voted that the 
town raise for schools the same amount as it received from the State. 
Gates Peck, Daniel Green, James Sherman, Joshua Hathaway, and E. 
Wright were appointed a committee to draft a code of laws for govern- 
ment of the town. 

1819 — The town was divided into twenty-seven road districts and 
their boundaries defined. $400 was voted for the support of the poor. 
A bounty of $25 was voted for wolves and seventy-five cents on 
foxes. 

1820 — Four hundred and fifty dollars was voted for the support of 
the poor. Voted that a committee of three be appointed to report the 
feasibility of purchasing a poorhouse for the town. B. B. Hyde, E. 
Worthington, B. P. Johnson were appointed such committee. Fence 




EDWARD COMSTOCK. 



TOWN MEETING PROCEEDINGS. 41 

viewers' fees were fixed at two shillings per day. A bounty of $20 
was voted for wolves, and seventy-five cents on foxes. S. B. Roberts, 
James Sherman, and Oliver C. Grosvenor w^ere elected inspectors of 
schools. 

1 82 1. — It was voted "that one piece of paper contain all the names 
of town officers after this meeting, and a poll list be kept." Collector's 
fees fixed at three per cent. Twenty dollars bounty on wolves was 
voted. Overseers of the poor were authorized to provide a house and 
garden for the support of the poor and that $250 be raised for the 
poor. 

The following is a list of the supervisors of the town of Rome, from 
its organization down to 1869, the date of the organization of Rome 
city: 1797, Abijah Putnam; 1798 to 1801, Thomas Gilbert; 1802, 
Clark Putnam; 1803, Henry Huntington ; 1804, George Huntington 
1805, Clark Putnam; 1806-07, Thomas Gilbert; 1808, Samuel Dill 
1809, Henry Huntingtoh ; 1810-1 1, Samuel Dill ; 181 2-1 3, Bill Smith 
1 8 14, George Huntington; 1815-16, Wheeler Barnes; 1817, George 
Huntington; 1818-20, Samuel Beardsley ; 1821-22. Rufus Barnes; 
1823-26, Jay Hathaway; 1827-28, George Brown; 1829-30, Henry 

A. Foster; 1831-32, Numa Leonard; 1833-34, Henry A. Foster; 
1835-36, Jesse Armstrong; 1837-38, Harold H. Pope ; 1839-40, James 
Merrill; 1841-42, Adam Van Patten; 1843-44, Enoch B Armstrong; 
1845-46, Giles Hawley; 1847, John Niles ; 1848-49; Alfred Eth- 
ridge; 1850, Allen Briggs ; 185 i, Benjamin N. Huntington; 1852-53, 
Stephen Van Dresar ; 1854, Bradford C. Dean; 1855-58, Giles Haw- 
ley; 1859-60, Alfred Ethridge ; 1861-68, Giles Hawley; 1869, Enoch 

B. Armstrong. (Continued in official list of city.) 

The surface of the town (now city) of Rome is for the most part level, 
and before it was drained by the construction of the Erie Canal and 
private sewers was marshy in many places, the swamp southward from 
Fort Stanwix being impassable during nearly the entire year. Unless 



42 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

in a very wet season, it can now be cultivated over its whole area, and 
many fine gardens are found where originally the life of man or beast 
was endangered by an attempt to cross. In the northern or eastern 
portions of the town the surface is higher and gently rolling, with quite 
abrupt bluffs along the Mohawk and smaller streams. 

The various streams which water the territory included in Rome are 
the Mohawk, which enters from the town of Western on the north, 
flows southward to the city proper, and thence eastwardly (forming the 
boundary between Floyd and the southeast part of Rome) in a winding 
course between the towns of Marcy and Deerfield on the north, and 
Whitestown and the city of Utica on the south, into Herkimer county ; 
Wood Creek, which flows southerly to the city, thence westerly, receiv- 
ing Canada Creek at the southeast corner of the town of Verona, form- 
ing the boundary between Verona and Rome for a number of miles, 
and on to Oneida Lake ; Canada Creek, which flows southward across 
the town from Lee, and enters Wood Creek as mentioned ; Fish Creek, 
also coming from the north, and forming the boundary for some dis- 
tance between Rome and Vienna, thence across a corner of Vienna to 
its junction with Wood Creek near the outlet of the latter into Oneida 
Lake. There are also numerous smaller streams, tributary to both the 
Mohawk and Wood Creek. 

Rome includes on the west a portion of town number two of Scriba's 
Patent; in the northeast a part of Fonda's Patent; in the southeast a 
large portion of the Oriskany Patent; in the southwest a small part of 
Coxe's Patent, the Smith tract, and a portion of the Perache tract. 



VILLAGE INCORPORATION AND CIVIL LIST. 43 



CHAPTER VI. 

VILLAGE INCORPORATION AND CIVIL LIST. 

The village of Rome was incorporated in 1819, with the follow- 
ing boundaries, to wit : " Commencing at the junction of the Erie 
Canal^ with Wood Creek, near the white house called the ' Clark 
House,' and thence down the canal to the west line of George 
House ; thence on a line of said farm to a poplar tree south of the 
old- canal ; thence to the east corner of Fiero's barn ; thence to the 
north corner of Jacob Tibbits' barn ; then north to the east corner of 
Bloomfield's garden ; thence northward to Wood Creek ; thence down 
the creek to the place of beginning." 

The first election for village officers was held on the first Tuesday in 
June, 1 8 19, at the court house, James Sherman, esq., justice of the 
peace, presiding. The following were the officers chosen : Trustees, 
George Huntington, Charles Wylie, Joshua Hathaway, Pliny Darrow, 
Bela B. Hyde ; assessors, William Wright, Samuel Beardsley, Arden 
Seymour; clerk, Benjamin P. Johnson; treasurer, Arba Blair; col- 
lector, Archibald T. Funk. 

In 1824 it was "Voted that a tax of forty dollars be raised for com- 
pleting the burying-ground, and that it be left discretionary with the 
trustees to raise the sanie, should they not succeed in raising suffi- 
cient to complete the same by subscription ;" also " Voted, That a tax of 
thirty dollars be raised for repairing the town pump and well near the 
hotel." 

At a meeting of the board July 5, 1852, the following preamble and 
resolutions were adopted : 

1 Old Erie Canal. ' Inland Canal. 



44 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

IV/iereas, This board has received information that the remains of the lamented 
Henry Clay are to pass through this place, on the express train, at ten o'clock i-. m. 
to-morrow, and 

IV/iereas, It is eminently proper that some expression should be made of the pro- 
found grief which the death of this illustrious patriot has spread over the community, 
therefore 

Resolved, That between the hours of ten and twelve o'clock the bells of the several 
churches of this village be tolled, the minute guns be fired, and that all occupants of 
places of business be requested to close the same during the time above mentioned. 
In 1853 the village was divided into three wards, the portion east of 
James street being the First ward ; that west of James street and south 
of Liberty the Second ward ; and west of James and north of Liberty 
the Third ward. 

The trustees of the village from 1820 to 1834, inclusive, were the fol- 
lowing persons, viz : 

1820-21. — George Huntington, Elijah Worthington, Stephen White, 
EHsha Walsworth, Numa Leonard. 

1822. — Same, except Wheeler Barnes was elected in the place of 
Stephen White. 

1823. — Wheeler Barnes, Joshua Hathaway, Simon Matteson, George 
Brown, Dennis Davenport. 

1824-25. — Wheeler Barnes, Arden Seymour, Simon Matteson, 
George Brown, Numa Leonard. 

1826 — George Huntington, John W. Bloomfield, Jay Hathaway, 
Elisha Walsworth, Henry A. Foster. 

1827. — John W. Bloomfield, George Huntington, Henry A. Foster, 
Martin Galusha, Jay Hathaway. 

,828. — J. W. Bloomfield, Jay Hathaway, H. A. Foster, Seth B. Rob- 
erts, Arden Seymour. 

1829. — J. W. Bloomfield, Jay Hathaway, Seth B. Roberts, Francis 
Bicknell, Lyman Briggs. 

1830. — Alanson Bennett, Bela B. Hyde, Noah Draper, James Mer- 
rills, Sylvester Wilcox. 



VILLAGE INCORPORATION AND CIVIL LIST. 45 

1 83 I, — Bela B. Hyde, Henry Tibbits, James Merrills, Sylvester Wil- 
cox, Joseph B. Read. 

1832. — A. Bennett, Alva Whedon, James Merrills, Francis Bicknell, 
Jay Hathaway. 

1833. — No record. 

1834. — Jesse Armstrong, John Stryker, Alva Mudge, Samuel B. 
Stevens, Virgil Draper. 

From 1835 to 1849, inclusive, the records ot the village have been 
lost or misplaced, and it is impossible to give the trustees for those years. 
From 1850 to 1869 they were as follows: 

1850. — Edward Huntington, Oliver J. Grosvenor, Andrew J. Rowley, 
Stephen Van Dresar, Henry C. Mallary. 

1851-52. — Enoch B. Armstrong, Roland S. Doty, Woodman Kim- 
ball, Sanford Adams, Marquis D. Hollister. 

1853. — President, Alanson Bennett, ist ward, H. S. Armstrong, 
E. A. Gage, E M. Hinkley ; 2d ward, Stephen Van Dresar, J. Lewis 
Grant, Publius V. Rogers ; 3d ward, M, L. Kenyon, Zaccheus Hill, 
Henry Hayden. 

1854. — President, B. J. Beach, ist ward, Gordon N. Bissell, James 
L, Watkins, A. McCune; 2d ward, J. L. Grant, M. Burns, Richard 
Peggs ; 3d ward, James Walker, S. Scofil, C. P. Williams. 

1855. — President, Marquis L. Kenyon. ist ward Harrison Jacobs, 
E. A. Gage, Moses Wingate ; 2d ward, Michael Burns, Henry T. Utley, 
Eri Seymour; 3d ward, R. G. Savery, J. H. Gilbert, M. L. Brainard. 

1856. — President, George Barnard. 1st ward, A. W. Cole, Joseph 
Higgins, Robert Whitworth ; 2d ward, H. H. Pope, J. J. Armstrong, 
John Ward ; 3d ward, A. H. Edgerton, Edward Dickinson, John J. 
Parry. 

1857. — President, George Barnard. ist ward, Henry O. South 
worth, Robert Whitworth, Jacob P. Hager ; 2d ward, John Ward, 
Thomas H. Pond, Daniel Hager; 3d ward, A. H. Edgerton, George 
W. Taft, Edward Smith. 



4C OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

1858. — President, George Barnard, ist ward, Henry O. Southworth, 
Paul Schneible, Robert Whitworth; 2d ward, John Ward, Daniel Hager, 
Glen Petrie ; 3d ward, A. H. Edgerton, G. W. Taft. Edward Smith. 

1859. — President, George Barnard, ist ward, Alva Mudge, H. C. 
Case, H. C. Mallery ; 2d ward, H. H. Pope, John Ward, D. Hager ; 3d 
A. H. Edgerton, E. P. Wait, R. E. Lee. 

,860. — President, George Barnard, ist ward, Charles F. Bissell, 
Henry C. Mallery, Nathaniel Hazelton ; 2d ward, H. H. Pope, Adam 
Kochersperger, John O'Neil ; 3d ward, Robinson E. Smiley, N. Hyde 
Leffingwell, Zaccheus Hill. 

1 861. — President, George Barnard. 1st ward, H. C. Mallery, Jacob 
Rastizer, George Merrill ; 2d ward, A. K. Adams, H. H. Pope, Peter 
Quinn ; 3d ward, William J. Walker, Daniel Cady, Nicholas Moran. 

1862 — President, George Barnard, ist ward, H. C. Mallery, M. W. 
Rowe, Peter Rathmund ; 2d ward, H. H. Pope, A. K. Adams, Peter 
Quinn ; 3d ward, Z. Hill, E. A. Allen, Jeptha Matteson. 

1863. — President, George Barnard. 1st ward, D. B. Prince, H. Ed- 
monds, R. Whitworth ; 2d ward, H. H. Pope, A. K. Adams, Thomas 
Flanagan; 3d ward, J. Matteson, Z. Hill, E. A. Allen. 

1864. — President, David Utley. ist ward, M. Maloney, Martin Se- 
ger, Daniel L Ketcham ; 2d ward, John Harrington, John Spellicy, 
Peter Quinn ; 3d ward, James Walker, John D. Ely, Harvey D. 
Spencer. 

1865. — President, E. B. Armstrong. 1st ward, Joseph Higgins, 
Orson Knowlton, James Elwell ; 2d ward, John Reifert, John Hook, 
Thomas Flanagan ; 3d ward, Samuel Wardwell, James Walker, G. H. 
Lynch. 

1866. — President, George Barnard, jr. ist ward, H. O. Southworth, 
Orson Knowlton, Joseph Higgins; 2d ward, John Reifert, John Hook, 
Thomas Flanagan ; 3d ward, James Walker, Lewis Gaylord, Sylvester 
F. Tremain. 



VILLAGE INCORPORATION AND CIVIL LIST. 47 

1867. — President, James Stevens. ist ward, Lawrence Gaheen, 
James Elvvell, Peter Rothmund ; 2d ward, Nicholas Kapfer, Thomas 
Flanagan, John Spellicy ; 3d ward, Griffith W. Jones, Lewis Gaylord, 
William Jackson. 

1868. — President, James Stevens, ist ward, Peter Rothmund, 
James H. Carroll, George H. Brodock ; 2d ward, Henry W. Tibbits, 
Fred Rostizer, Thomas W. Edwards; 3d ward, William Jackson, Lewis 
Gaylord, B. W. Williams. 

1869. — President, Edward L. Stevens. ist ward, James H. Carroll ; 
2d ward, John Spellicy ; 3d ward, Ackley P. Fuller. A portion of the 
old board held over this year, according to the new regulations for the 
election of trustees, etc. 



48 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 



CHAPTER VII. 

EARLY BUSINESS AND BUILDINGS IN ROME. 

Let us refresh the memory of the older residents and impart infor- 
mation to newcomers by calHng attention to the fact that some forty- 
five years ago a person standing at the Erie Canal bridge and going up 
James to Dominick. down Dominick to Spring, up Spring to Liberty, 
and thence to George street, would describe very nearly the boundaries 
of Rome at that time (about 1850). It is true that James street was 
nearly if not quite built up to Thomas street and the so-called Stewart 
Buildings were on George street, west side, continuing from Liberty to 
Park street, and the arsenal and Mr. Rowland's residence on Dominick 
street, beyond George, but aside from those and a few other buildings 
scattered here and there in different parts of the village, and with the 
exception of Factory Village and Canal Village, the foregoing was Ronie 
as it would appear on a map of about 1850. Embargo was opened 
from James to Washington street, and no farther, and there were only 
two or three houses thereon. Court street was opened to Washington, 
but only two or three buildings were there. All north of Court street 
and west of Washington was a pasture. It is the purpose of this chap- 
ter to note principally the improvements and changes made during the 
quarter of a century following 1850, while later on we shall attempt to 
describe the Rome of still earlier years, as well as that of more recent 
times. For convenience and better understanding of the matter it is 
taken up by streets. 

James Street. — This is one of the oldest streets in Rome and was 
named after James Lynch, eldest son of Dominick Lynch, the pioneer. 
About forty-five years ago the old burying ground was considered 






\ 




VIRGIL DRAPER. 



EARLY BUSINESS AND BUILDINGS. 49 

quite out of town and Thomas street was the northern limit of the set- 
tled portion, there being but one dwelling beyond, that of Lynden 
Abell, southeast corner of James and Bloomfield. James street was 
then considered as finished ready to be fenced up, as if the growth of 
Rome in that direction had reached its utmost limit. With the excep- 
tion of the erection of a few additional dwellings, that portion of the 
street between Liberty and Thomas remained until about 1866. 
Briefly alluding to die fact that between i850and 1870 the brick blocks 
on the west side of James street from the Erie Canal to near the Mudge 
block (now owned by Dr. Kingsley), on the corner of Dominick street, 
and the blocks opposite from Stanwix Hall, to the corner were all 
erected as well as the north part of the American block, and the build- 
ings opposite from the Merrill block now containing the express office, 
to the Tallman livery stable, we call more particular attention to those 
buildings erected between 1865 and 1 870. These were the Commer- 
cial Hotel, what was formerly the store of Henry Hayden, the Kings- 
ley block, O Knowlton's place, Charles Tattle's store, and the corner. 
Passing up James street we find three or four dwellings erected before 
reaching Thomas street. North of the latter street and east of James, 
were five dwellings erected between 1867 and 1870, covering the en- 
tire vacant grounds between Thomas street and F. E. Bacon's resi- 
dence. Going onwards towards the burying ground we find that lands 
used in 1866 for farming purposes, were converted into village lots be- 
fore 1870 and that seven dwellings on the west side of the street and 
four on the top of the hill were erected in the period under considera- 
tion. 

Washingt07t Street. — This is another of the oldest streets of Rome 
and was probably named after the Father of his Country ; but there 
were scarcely any buildings on it in 1850. The sites now occupied by 
H. D. Spencer, John D. Oxner, Jim Stevens, A. P. Tuller, M M. Da- 
vis, formerly I. T. Miner, and what were the J. J. Bradt and the Col. J. B. 



50 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Bradt places and the Earl Batcheler residence with some surrounding 
territory was used as late as 1850 as a cow pasture. Messrs. C. Comstock 
and E. Huntington about 1847 purchased of George Clark the block 
bounded by George and Washington streets, with Court street on the 
south, and subsequent thereto purchased lands west of there extending 
to and across Wood Creek. They opened streets, laid out their lands 
into village lots, brought them into market, and all that part of Rome 
in that direction has grown since then to what it now is. 

Forty-five years ago a two story frame building stood where Zion 
church now stands, was used as a school house and was all the public 
school accommodation Rome then offered The members of Zion 
church then owned and held service in the building now owned and oc- 
cupied by the Universalists and which edifice was ample for their then 
members. The site now occupied by the brick block of four dwellings 
erected by Mudge & Doty, near the foot of the street, was occupied by 
the late residence of the Rev. Moses Gillett and known as the Gillett 
place. It is now owned by Dr. W. J. P. Kingsley. 

About that period Washington street was graded and a plank road 
made its entire length, costing about $1,000, the expense of which was 
collected by the village clerk without extra compensation, to make the 
burden of tax as light as possible. Between 1866 and 1870 the splendid 
residence now in the Greenfield estate was erected. 

About 1870-71 R. W. Pritchard built a brick store three stories high 
on the corner of Dominick street, now occupied by Roth Brothers. 
Next to and adjoining this block Norman King erected a brick build 
ing and a part of the same block, and of the same height. Seidell & 
Baldwin built in close proximity a brick block of the same height, 
while George Payne in conjunction with Seidell & Baldwin, erected a 
brick building to be used for shops; this latter is now occupied by Mr. 
Payne's son. 

Dominick Street. — This is one of the oldest streets and with James 



EARLY BUSINESS AND BUILDINGS. 51 

were the only two streets Rome had when, in 1796, when the map of 
" Lynchville " was made by Dominick Lynch. At a still later period 
and not far from 1800 another map was made on which the name of 
Lynchville ^ was retained and the following streets laid down : Domi- 
nick, Washington, James, Liberty, Madison, Court, Embargo, Jay, 
Thomas and Bloomfield. None of these, however, was opened to any 
extent until about 1850, except the four named first. 

We cannot ascertain that the number of streets which Rome had in 
about 1800, as above mentioned, were materially if any increased until 
about 1850. The purchase of the Clark lands and bringing them into 
market about that date gave Rome a new impetus; the number of 
streets in 1870 was seventy-six. 

Extensive research has enabled us to present a full statement of the 
kind and situation of every building which stood on Dominick street 
prior to 1870, and incidentally to locate them with reference to present 
occupants. As originally laid out Dominick street extended from the 
Mohawk River on the east to Wood Creek on the west. Prior to 1836 
and before the change of the Erie Canal in Rome to its present location, 
the street did not run directly over the Black River Canal where it now 
does, but instead turned off south at an angle of forty-five degrees where 
the late Mr. Draper's residence was, and crossed where the Black River 
Canal now is. At that time the Black River Canal was not constructed, 
but in its place was a feeder connecting the Mohawk River with the 
canal of the W^estern Inland Lock Navigation Company. At the point 
where lock No. i is situated there was then an arched bridge over the 
feeder and a gate to regulate the flow of water through the feeder. 
Over this bridge the street crossed and then turned north to its present 

' When or why the village came to be called Rome does not clearly appear, but it i.s .stated 
that prior to 1800 a number of the then leading citizens of the village vi^ere present and when the 
question came up as to what name should be given to the place, George Huntington, who was a 
large land owner about Rome, remarked that there were many classical names given to places 
in this State, but none had as yet been called after the " Eternal City," and he suggested Rome. 



52 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

location east of the Black River Canal bridge, and proceeded eastward 
to the river. 

We begin now sketches of places and buildings, beginning at the resi- 
dence of H. K. White (formerly Virgil Draper) and which is located upon 
the southeast bastion of old Fort Stanwix. Prior to i8iO there was on 
that site a large square frame dwelling owned by Dominick Lynch and 
occupied by him when here, but formerly the residence of his son 
James. In 1825 the building caught fire at midday in midsummer and 
great effort was made to save it. An old hand engine, which in these 
days would hardly be considered a first-class squirt gun, was brought 
out, and in the effort to crowd it beyond its capacity " it bust," and 
then all hope of saving the building was abandoned. A few years later 
Mr. Draper purchased the premises, erected a portion of the house and 
afterwards made improvements and additions thereto. The doors 
throughout the house, trimmed with old-fashioned brass knobs, were 
taken from the burning house and are now used in the present building. 
In the southwest corner of the yard Mr. Lynch had an office in a small 
wooden building. The office of B. N. & E. Huntington was erected 
about 1840. A portion of the residence of Alvin Mudge was erected 
in 1828 by Wheeler Barnes. At that time the trenches, embankments, 
and some of the pickets of the old fort remained. The old block- house 
was there, although much decayed and riddled with bullets. Nelson 
Dawly, later of Annsville, had the job of leveling down and clearing off 
the block- house and this part of the fort preparatory to the erection of 
the residence of Mr. Barnes. The house stood on the southwest corner 
or part of the site of the fort. In the erection of the residence in 1828 
the late A. H. Brainerd was one of those who did the carpenter work 
and Ormond Butler did the mason work. The premises were purchased 
in 1837 by Mr. Mudge, who afterwards made additions and imp ove- 
ments to the building. The whole site of the fort was sold to Mr. 
Barnes for about $1,100 and is now occupied by the residence of the 



EARLY BUSINESS AND BUILDINGS. 53 

late John Stryker. It is to be greatly regretted that those grounds were 
not purchased by the town, village or State and kept sacred and un- 
divided. 

The next building was what became and now is the Empire House. 
It was built and kept for a tavern ; Cicero Gould kept it in 1799 and 
later a Mr. Olmstead. father-in law of Wheeler Barnes Mr. Barnes 
subsequently became the owner, and while residing there had his law 
office in a small frame building which then stood close by the street in the 
southeast corner of the yard. There Judge Denio, William Curtis Noyes, 
N. B. Judd, pursued their law studies. A little incident may be related 
as showing the history of those days. A. H. Brainerd had a law suit 
(the only one of his life) before 'Squire Numa Leonard, who kept his jus- 
tice office in the upper story of his hat shop across the street, to reach 
which a flight of stairs went up on the outside of the buildng. Mr. 
Noyes was employed by Mr. Brainerd, and after a sharp tussle, in which 
Mr. Noyes and his client were successful, the charge of the attorney 
was fifty cents ! In later years Mr. Noyes received a fee of $10,000 
from one client. 

About 1830 Dr. Brown purchased those premises of Wheeler Barnes 
and enlarged the dwelling. It subsequently passed to C B. Gay, 
Judge Foster, and Miss Whittemore. Farther westward on the site 
afterwards occupied by Dr. Cobb, now the Palmer House, George 
Huntington about 1793 erected a small frame store It was later made 
into or used for a part of his dwelling, and now stands on the east side 
of James street where it is used as the Brighton Market, whither it was 
removed about 1850. The dwelling once occupied by Mrs. Merrill, 
now owned by Rufus Keeney, was erected about 1812 by George 
Huntington as an addition to his dwelling. 

The Merrill block, northeast corner of James and Dominick streets, 
was erected about 1844. On the site prior to that was Levi Green's 
store, a large frame building which was removed and now stands on the 



54 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Black River Canal where it was used as a vinegar factory by P. Rath- 
bun. It is still standing, but unoccupied. In 1825 the Rome Repub- 
lican was removed from a building across the street to on or near the 
site of Armstrong's bookstore, where in an upper room of a frame 
building it was published by Chauncey Beach. Mr. J. P. Van Size was 
publishing at the same time the Oneida Republican. In 1830 the two 
papers united and removed to the Checkered building, north side of 
Dominick street. It may be a fact worth recording that a newspaper, 
the Rome Citizen, is now, sixty years later, being published on the 
same site. 

In excavating for the foundation of the Merrill Block, or while dig- 
ging near there, the skeletons of three or four Indians were found. In 
fact, there have been found all around the fort many skulls, skeletons, 
guns, swords, etc., showing that this locality v/as an important point in 
the struggle between tribes or nations, and that it was the theater 
where were enacted some of the most important dramas in our nation's 
history. 

Proceeding westward from the Merrill Block, with pencil and note 
book in hand, and spectacles on our nose, looking this way and that 
and taking notes and observations of the changes, and stepping cau- 
tiously and carefully about, lest we tread upon some relic or overlook 
something of importance, we came as near as any one can of falling 
into a well which was dug more than ninety years ago, at the intersec- 
tion of James and Dominick streets All that saved us from tumbling 
headlong into that " hole in the groimd " was the fact of its being filled 
up and paved over. Those now living here whose memories do not go 
back more than fifty years have no personal knowledge of its exist- 
ence ; but they who remember sixty or seventy years ago speak of its 
having a curb around it and afterwards "a town pump" in it, with a 
wooden trough close by where cattle and horses were watered. No 
one can tell us when that well was dug. 



EARLY BUSINESS AND BUILDINGS. 55 

We reach the American corner and on that spot dig up the fact that 
prior to 1800 a three story wooden frame hotel was erected on that 
site, extending west to a ten foot alley which was near where the jew- 
elry store of G. A. Harrington now is. In that year or prior thereto, a 
man named Logan kept the hotel. Previous to 1820 the hotel was 
kept by one Isaac Lee and others, and since then at different times by 
James Thompson, Forman Coleman, Freedom Tibbetts, Benjamin 
Starr, Brainard Rowe and others. Mr. Rowe was landlord when the 
building was burned in 1846. Daniel Whedon, father of Alva Whe- 
don, was landlord in 1822-23. 

In one of the rooms of that hotel, about 1824-25, General La Fay- 
ette, as he passed through Rome, held a sort of levee and was called 
upon by a large number of our then citizens; one related that he was 
then only a boy but he went in and had a site of the old marquis. 

Next west of the hotel was the "Dr. Stephen White lot" which 
embraced the five stores of the old Empire block. Just across to the 
west from this ten foot alley was a small story and a half frame build- 
ing kept about 1 8 10 by Dr. Stephen White as a hotel. The doctor in 
1797 kept a tavern at the lower landing on the Mohawk, about a mile 
or so east of here and near where Robert McCutcheon formerly resided. 
It is likely the doctor finding his tavern stand rather lonely, concluded 
business would be more brisk in the village and so removed to town. 
About 1820 this hotel was used for stores, the west one being occupied 
by Peter White, son of Dr. White, as a bookstore, and afterwards by 
the late Jay Hathaway as a store, and who kept the post office as late 
as about 1 840, when he removed to the southwest corner of James and 
Dominick streets, and afterwards to the Arcade. In the east part of the 
White Hotel and next to the alley, where the Cummings tailor store 
now is. A. A. Pavey traded thirty-two years ago. On the east side of 
this building and next the alley a pair of rickety stairs led to the upper 
room, which was once used as a ball room and still later as a hall. In 



56 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

this hall public meetings and shows were held. It was there that 
" Sickles's Show" of figures was first exhibited to the Romans, to the 
great delight and wonder of the boys as well as the men of that period. 

Not far from 1843 Simon Matteson who, about 1830, had purchased 
this Dr. White lot of which we have been writing, overhauled that ho- 
tel, put a brick front thereon and closed up the alley and used it for 
stores. This is now a part of the site of the Empire block. 

At the west end of the White lot and about where N. P. Rudd now 
is, there stood, the fore part of the present century, a small frame build- 
ing, used as a dwelling about 1820 by Stephen White, son of Dr. 
White ; between this building and the White Hotel ran an alley to a 
wagon shop in the rear, used by Stephen White. This dwelling was 
subsequently used as a grocery by Aylmer Keith, Datus E. Valentine, 
and others About 1833 Simon Matteson closed up the alley and 
erected a frame structure with brick front on the sites now occupied by 
W. H. Rudd, N. P. Rudd and John W. Wijson, and which stood there 
at the time of the fire of 1846. This structure was occupied in 1843-4 
by Ralph Hulburt, afterwards by Rowland & Hill, and still later by 
Nathan Smith & Co., and then by Parker & Mudge. 

The next lot west was the Samuel Starr property, or the Stephen 
Hubbard lot in more recent years, now occupied by P. S. Kingsley. 
This property embraced the four stores, or nearly so, now occupied by 
Wardwell Ikothers, Edward Halstead, Grogan Brothers and M. M. 
Davis. On the site now owned by M. M. Davis there was, about 1800, 
a small frame building once owned and occupied by Samuel Starr, 
afterwards by Stephen Hubbard, and still later by Alva Mudge, who 
began keeping house there for the first time in 1826, and after that 
by Robert Walker. Mr. Starr died early in the present century and 
the late William Wright was his executor. After the death of Mr Starr 
the family removed west, most of them to St. Louis, and one of the 
daughters married Henry C. Geyer, who was United States senator 




ALFRED ETHRIDGE. 



EARLY BUSINESS AND BUILDINGS. 57 

from Missouri from 1851 to 1857. About 1831 Mr. Walker became the 
purchaser of the Hubbard House, and, with Jeptha and Luther Matte- 
son, of forty- nine feet of land for $1,000. Mr. Walker moved the house 
on the rear of his lot and lived there, while in 1832 he built up a frame 
store with brick front on the site of the Hubbard House as above de- 
scribed. Mr. Walker came to Rome in 1826 and began work for Solo- 
mon Z. Lord, son of Zelotus Lord, who then had a tailor shop on the 
Merrill block site, just north of where the store of Levi Green was. In 
1829 Mr. Walker bought out Mr. Lord, opened a shop in a room or 
corner store where the express ofifice now is. But let us get back to 
the Hubbard House. That house was erected by Jonathan B. Brain- 
ard, and all of the nails used in its construction were made by Oliver 
Greenwood, who kept a shop on Liberty street about where the office 
of Dr. Scudder was twenty years ago. Prior to 1830 there was a va- 
cant space where the stores of Wardwell Brothers and the Grogan 
Brothers now are, but where Edward Halstead is there stood in 1820 and 
prior thereto a small 7 by 9 frame structure used for many years by 
Francis Bicknell as a jewelry store. About 1825 the shop was removed 
to the Floyd road. In 1831 Mr. Bicknell, in conjunction with J. & 
L. Matteson, erected a frame structure with brick front on the space 
above mentioned, leaving an alley between that block and Mr. Walker's 
store. In that building Mr. Bicknell and Martin Rowley opened the 
first hardware store in Rome. Lyman Briggs succeeded Mr. Bicknell 
in the hardware trade and the latter returned to the jewelry business in 
the same block and continued until about i860. 

Mr. Jeptha Matteson came here at first in 1820, and finally removed 
and settled here and began business as a cabinet maker and dealer in 
1824, and continued the same more than half a century. In the build- 
ing of J. & L. Matteson, Cheesebrough & Leonard had a drug store, and 
it was there in about 1843 Mr. Cheesebrough was killed by the bursting 
of a soda fountain. In one of the stores of Mr. Bicknell, Adam and 



58 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Peter Van Patten traded for a while ; up stairs in the Jeptha Matteson 
store Alanson Bennett, about 1833-4, had his law office, and with 
whom was C. B. Gay for a year or so until he completed his law study, 
when he opened an office for himself. 

Next west of the Hubbard lot was the Bill Smith lot, embracing the 
stores now occupied by J. Halstead and by Stowell. On this lot was 
erected about 1793 by John Barnard, a pioneer of Rome, a small low 
frame building, where a tavern was kept prior to 1800. Subsequently 
and not far from 18 10 a store was kept there by Bill Smith, and after- 
wards it was kept as a saloon and grocery by Mr. Norton, father of C. 
H. Norton. That building occupied the site now covered by J. Hal- 
stead's store and perhaps a little additional. A little farther west and 
where Stowell's store now is, was, very early in the century, a small one 
story frame building occupied at one time prior to 1820 as a saddler 
shop and afterwards about 1820-5 by Jay Hathaway as a store. In 
1826 or thereabouts Dr. Brown purchased the Bill Smith lot, raised the 
roof of the Bill Smith store, added a story to the upper part and called 
it the " Checkered building." The store of Mr. Hathaway remained as 
it was until it was burned in 1846. 

On each end of this Checkered building was a flight of stairs going 
to the upper rooms, which were used as offices. Here Judges Hay- 
den, Foster and Noyes had their offices. In one of the upper back 
rooms the Rome Republican was published by Eber P. Moon, and 
afterwards by James H. Harris, until it was removed in the course of 
a year to the brick building on the site of the block now owned by 
Mrs. Fanny Stevens Brooks. 

In the Checkered building mentioned Alva Mudge in 1823 (the year 
of its completion) commenced his career in business in the east part, 
and the late Gen. Jesse Armstrong also began his business career in 
the west part. That building seems to have been an important and 
eventful one in many respects. There Alva Mudge, and then Mudge 



EARLY BUSINESS AND BUILDINGS. 59 

& Hrown, and Mudge & Smith, and others traded, carrying on quite 
an extensive business in buying grain, seih'ng groceries, etc. There 
Col. E. B. Armstrong began his clerkship nearly seventy years ago, 
and there S. W. Mudge commenced his when only thirteen years of 
age. Calvin Comstock related that when a boy at work on a farm he 
remembered of drawing rye (which seems to have been the staple kind 
of grain raised north of us in those days) to that store for sale, 
and of a large class of patrons going there from the northern section of 
the county to trade. It was in that building that the fire originated in 
1846 which swept away all that side of the street from the American 
corner to the old Rome Bank. 

Proceeding westward from the Checkered building and passing the 
small store occupied about 1820-5 by Jay Hathaway and crossing ah 
alley which then ran just west of that store, and about on the site of the 
third store east of the passage way under the Willett House, we reach 
the Hollister store, which was on the site now occupied by the store of 
F. M. Hamlin and the store next the alley now vacant. This Hollister 
store was a story and a half building, gable end to the street, and was 
built about 18 10 and occupied by Alexander Lynch as a store about 
that time. Afterwards Mr. Hayes, subsequently a partner of the late 
William Wright, kept a store. In 1823 Cornelius Hollister, who 
owned a farm and distillery towards Lowell, had a store in company 
with Dr. Brown in the east part of the building. Dr. Brown having a 
drug and grocery store in the west part. About 1824 Dr. Brown asso- 
ciated with himself in business with Dr. H. H. Pope, then just beginning 
business, and the two continued in the trade and practiced medi- 
cine. About 1826 Dr. Brown went to the Checkered building. Mr. 
Hollister continuing alone. Joseph B. Read had a law and justice's 
office about 1 830 in the drug store of Brown & Pope, and afterwards 
Mr. Hollister had a drug store there. A little west and about where 
the Willett House was, I. Fowler kept a saloon or grocery store. 



60 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Afterwards Dr. H. H. Pope had a drug store underneath and Hved 
overhead. About 1832 a wooden building, used as a cabinet shop and 
standing on James street on the site of the residence of the late G. W. 
Pope, was moved to the site of the alley that led to the Willett House 
stables, and therein Drs. G. W. & H. H. Pope carried on a drug store 
and grocery business and practiced medicine. In 1840 the rooms over 
these stores of Drs. Pope were used by Albert D. Wright as a female 
seminary. It was in the upper story of that building that the Roman 
Citizen first saw the Hght, with Calvin B. Gay, editor, and Horace N. 
Bill, publisher. The first number was dated June 8, 1840. The paper, 
after being pubhshed in that building, was removed in 1845 to the 
Mudge-Doty block, southwest corner of James and Dominick streets. 
Just west of the drug store and residence of Dr. H. H. Pope, above 
mentioned, and a little east of the old Bank of Rome, there stood more 
than ninety years ago a small frame tenement, 20 by 30, where 
Nathaniel Mudge lived (the father of Alva, S. W., and Nathaniel 
Mudge). In that house Alva Mudge was born in 1804. A few years 
later that tenement was removed to Liberty street to the site after- 
wards occupied by the residence of Edward Huntington, and was there 
for many years and up to about 1845, occupied by Zelotus Lord. 
Some of the former old men of Rome mention that when boys they 
went to Mr. Lord to have their shoes made or mended by the village 
shoemaker. 

About 1 82 1 the late Benjamin Wright erected for a residence the brick 
building afterwards known as the old Bank of Rome— the third brick 
building erected in Rome. In this dwelling Lynden Abell began keep- 
ing house in 1829, paying $30 rent per annum ; and the whole premises 
being offered him for $1,200. In 1832 the Bank of Rome was incor- 
porated and the building purchased for a residence for the cashier. A 
year or so later the wing part was erected for the banking house. 

West of this building was the " Long House " and covering the sites 



EARLY BUSINESS AND BUILDINGS. Gl 

now occupied by the Spencer Hall block and the stores of R. Dun- 
ning, I. B. Adams, and the Farmer's National Bank. This Long 
Mouse property was owned by Benjamin Wright and Bela B Hyde, 
and prior to 1820 was occupied by them respectively as residences. 
Mr. Wright removed to his brick residence when it was completed, 
and later to New York city, and Mr. Hyde about the same time re- 
moved to a building below the railroad. Isaac Draper resided in the 
Long House for a while and not far from 18 12 Abby Bullock taught 
school there. It was destroyed by fire after 1 850, having become 
quite dilapidated and the abode of dissolute and vicious persons. In 
front of the Long House from about 18 12 to 1835 was a row of large 
locusts, and so along farther east in front of the Hubbard lot at about 
the same time was a similar row of poplars. 

About where the office of the Arlington Hotel is there was erected by 
a Mr. Sweatman about 18 12 or 18 14 a two story frame buildino- used 
by him for a harness shop. About 181 8 E. Dorchester published in 
that building for a year a paper called the Oneida Observer and then 
went back with it to Utica. The circumstances of its being published 
here were as follows: In 18 18 an effort was made by Utica people 
to procure the courts to be held in that city and which were then 
held in Rome and Whitestown The Romans opposed the effort with 
great zeal and were aided by the Whitestown people. To oppose the 
effort the more successfully the Romans prevailed upon Mr. Dorchester 
to remove the Observer plant to this place. He did so in the fall of 
that year and changed the name of his paper to the Oneida Observer, 
and started the paper at the place above mentioned. After battling 
manfully and successfully in behalf of the Romans, he returned to 
Utica in 18 19 with his press, changed the name back to the Utica Ob- 
server and continued its publication there. In 1828 Moses G. Watson 
had a harness shop in this same building. 

On the northeast corner of Washington and Dominick streets ninety 



62 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

or more years ago Caleb Hammill, father of the late George Hammill, 
lived in a small frame dwelling then standing there. Afterwards and 
prior to about 1820 Reuben Hoag used the building as a blacksmith 
shop, having his residence in the rear, fronting on Washington street. 
Afterwards Amos Peckham used the building on the corner as a plow 
factory, and his son after him. Subsequently and not far from 1835 
Henry N Kellogg had a plow factory there, and then it was occupied 
by Orson and H. Wheeler, and so on. The buildings on that corner 
have been several times destroyed by fire. 

Following is the recapitulation of the buildings from the American 
Hotel to Washington street just before the fire of 1846 : 

1st The American Hotel, a three story frame structure. 

2d Dr. White hotel building just west of the alley. Two stores with 
brick fronts. 

3d. Two frame stores with brick fronts, where the Matteson and 
Budd stores were. 

4th. Frame store, brick front, of Robert Walker. 

5th. Just west of an alley three frame stores with brick fronts of 
Matteson and Francis Bicknell. 

6th. The Checkered building. 

7th. A story and a half building occupied in 1820 by Jay Hathaway. 

8th. HoUister store, west of an alley. 

7th. Drug store of Dr. Pope and female seminary. 

loth. Banking house. 

I ith. Long House. 

1 2th. Small frame structure corner of Washington street. 

There were then no flag sidewalks or paved streets ; hardly a plank 
walk the entire length ; no gas to light the streets and stores, but in- 
stead tallow candles shed their feeble and fickle rays in store and dwell- 
ing, tending to make darkness visible, and when business closed for the 
night and the "tallow dips" were extinguished, Rome of fifty years 
ago reposed as it were in a cloud of midnight darkness. 



THE GREAT FIRE AND REBUILDING. 63 



CHAPTER VIII. 

THE GREAT FIRE AND THE REBUILDING OF DOMINICK STREET. 

Before daylight of January 6, 1846, occurred the great fire in Rome, 
sweeping away every structure from the American corner to the Bank 
of Rome, and leaving not a vestige except a mass of smouldering ruins 
and here and there a few tall black chimneys, like so many sad, sorrow- 
ful, yet mute witnesses of the desolation around. The fire originated 
in the shoe shop of John McCarrick in the west end, up stairs, of the 
Checkered building, the flames spreading each way, licking up with its 
forked tongues the wooden structures and making a barren waste where 
a few hours before were heard the hum of busy trade and the tread of 
thriving industry. It was a clear, cold, still night, the flames going 
skyward as straight and swift as an arrow, and yet spreading each way 
with almost equal rapidity. The next morning on the American prop- 
erty near the alley, George Fox, a relative of Roland Fox, was instantly 
killed by a brick from a falling chimney hitting him on the head. Mr. 
Gordenier Freer told the writer that he stood close by the side of Mr. 
Fox when he was hit and was the first to go to his assistance. 

That indeed seemed a dark day for Rome, for there were at that time 
only a few wealthy business men here who could stand such a loss. But 
in that month of seeming disaster, Rome took a new departure, and by 
shaking off the ragged and worn out habiliments with which she had 
been encumbered for the previous fifty years, and putting on a new 
garb and appearing in better and brighter apparel, her citizens from 
that time took a more elevated standpoint. It often happens that what 
are deemed afflictions at first are but blessings in disguise, and that it is 
essential sometimes that villages as well as nations shall be purified by 



64 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

fire, that they may be purged of the dross and come out of the trial all 
the purer for the ordeal. The purifiation was what was needed, and 
Rome has profited thereby. 

In the course of a few months the work of rebuilding began and in 
that year Jesse Matteson and S. W. Mudge erected the new American 
fronting on Dominick street. In the same year Simon Matteson built 
the Empire block. Robert Walker at the same time in connection with 
Luther and Jeptha Matteson, closed up the alley between them and 
erected new stores. The late Judge Seth B. Roberts in the same year 
erected the store next east of where Wardwell Brothers now are ; in 
1847 Mudge & Uoty erected the store long occupied by them where 
Joseph H. Halstcad now is, and H W. Wilcox in the same year erected 
the store where Stowell now is, and E. B. Armstrong that adjoining on 
the east. Dr. H. H. Pope in the same year erected the three stores of 
Archer & Snyder, Hall & Co., and G. T. Jones & Son (now A. I. 
Grouse, F. M. Hamlin and the store adjoining the alley), and the Willett 
House, and after i860 erected the other stores between there and the 
Bank of Rome, and altered that over to be uniform with the rest of the 
block. About 1864 A. W. Spencer built the Spencer Hall block, now 
owned by F. Morton, and in the same year F. W. Oliver erected the 
store next beyond. About 1850 Peter Toepp built a three story brick 
store, now the Farmer's National Bank. 

We will now consider the sonth side of Dominick street from the 
Black River Canal and including the site of the Hill block, southeast 
corner of James and Dominick streets. In 1820 the following struc- 
tures were standing on that portion of the street : 

1st. A frame blacksmith shop erected prior to 1820 and occupied 
by one Holden, and to whom Lyman Briggs succeeded about 18 19. 
The shop stood on the east end of the lot and was the first building 
west of where the canal (then the feeder) now is. In that shop Col. 
John B. Bradt commenced work seventy years ago for Lyman Briggs, 




THOMAS M. FLANDRAU, M. D. 



THE GREAT FIRE AND REBUILDING. 65 

and subsequently, about 1831, went in company with his employer. 
The shop was removed later to make room for a dwelling which was 
erected on the site and afterwards, about 1850, burned. 

2d. On the west end of the Briggs lot was a small dwelling stand- 
ing prior to 1820 and about 1812 ; who built or who lived there ex- 
cepting Mr. Holden, no one can tell. About 18 19 Lyman Briggs pur- 
chased the premises and went there to reside and to carry on the black- 
smith shop. That dwelling was afterwards made into a double house. 
The space between the shop and Mr. Briggs's house was then unoccu- 
pied. 

3d. The next building west was a small frame dwelling standing in 
1820 and prior thereto, on the site occupied by the residence of George 
Barnard, sr., now occupied by John Singleton. There was then a 
vacant space of thirty feet, perhaps, between the Briggs house and this 
small frame dwelling. Who built the house or when it was built is not 
clearly known, though it is remembered that it stood there as early as 
1812. In this building Elisha Burrows, father of Capt. Orange Bur- 
rows, resided along about 1812-16; he was a recruiting officer in the 
United States service and was so engaged at this place in 18 12. He 
died about 1828. James Graves resided there nearly seventy-five years 
ago ; he was afterwards drowned. In the same dwelling John Sheldon, 
father of Samuel H Sheldon, lived many years ago, and Loren Will- 
iams, father-in-law of D. W. Healt, also resided there. 

4th. The next building west was the Luke Frink house, standing on 
the east end of his lot and very near if not close to the building above 
described. It was built by Mr. Frink about 18 10 and he resided there 
until about 1830, when he removed to the Long House and, it is said, 
died there about 1837. This dwelling was known at one period as 
the " little yellow house," from its color. Elijah Wight, who came 
here in 18 19, resided in the Frink house from 1836 to 1841 ; subse- 
quently Rev. Chauncey Goodrich, who died in Utica, resided there for 

a time. 
9 



66 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

5th. Next west was a small frame building occupied by Numa 
Leonard in 1819, and prior, as a hat shop. It is said to have been 
occupied prior to 18 12 by a man named Edes. In that shop Esquire 
Leonard manufactured hats, commencing with stripping the fur from 
the hides of animals, whipping it out, and going through the entire 
process until the hat was completed. There George Barnard, sr., de- 
ceased, learned his trade over seventy- five years ago ; he subsequently 
became a partner of his employer, and then carried on the business 
under his own name. A flight of stairs ran up on the outside and east 
part of the building to the upper part, where Esquire Leonard held his 
courts while justice of the peace ; the shop was afterwards converted 
into a dwelling. 

6th. The next building west was the Numa Leonard house, occupied 
by him for nearly forty years, now the site of the residence of Mrs. 
Martin Hyde. The kitchen part was erected about 1800 and tradition 
says that it was used as a store about that perfod. About 1819 
Esquire Leonard built the upright part of the dwelling, afterwards 
owned and occupied by Charles E. Saulpaugh. Mr. Leonard came 
here about 18 15, and his name often appears in the records of the 
town as holding the offices of supervisor, justice, and assessor at differ- 
ent periods. About 18 10 Sidney Smith resided in the old part of the 
house, and subsequently removed to Troy. The premises where the 
dwelling stood were at one time owned by Samuel Starr and by his 
executors were conveyed to Numa Leonard. 

7th. The premises next west were those of Henry Huntington. 
He came here prior to 1800. In 1807 he purchased of Robert Dill for 
$500 the land extending from the Leonard lot on the east to James 
street on the west, being 396 feet on Dominick street and 200 feet 
wide, extending back from said street. The old house of Mr. Hunt- 
ington is said to have been built by Mr. Dill quite early in the present 
century; the addition to it, afterwards occupied by Dr. Flandrau, was 
erected by Mr. Huntington about 1822, 



THE GREAT FIRE AND REBUILDING. 07 

8th. The rear or east end of the Hill block, now Saulpaugh block, 
and perhaps a small part of the grounds now occupied by the Opera 
House, were occupied in 1804 by a frame structure, which tradition 
says was used as a store about that period, making three small stores 
in that vicinity about tliat time, the others being George Huntington's 
store, on the site of the Palmer House, lately the residence of Dr. 
Cobb, and one in the building which afterwards became the residence 
of Numa Leonard. It was a two-story dwelling and occupied as 
early as 181 2 and also later by James Sherman (father of Mrs. Judge 
Foster), who had his law office and a justice's office in the wing part on 
the west side of the building. There Judge Foster pursued his law 
study and subsequently resided in the dwelling. Still later Pelatiah 
Rawson resided there and had a school in or near a building on the 
site of the new bank building — the Central National ; still later Dr. 
Cobb resided there until about 1850. The property then changed 
hands and the building was removed at first to the corner of Liberty 
and Jay streets, and afterwards to the south side of Dominick street, 
where it was occupied by Mr. Bell, or Bell & Pond, as a carriage shop ; 
it was subsequently burned. 

9th. Not far from 1800 John Barnard, one of Rome's early settlers, 
erected a frame dwelling on the southeast corner of James and Dom- 
inick streets, fronting on James street, where the Saulpaugh block now 
is. In this building Mr. Barnard resided for a while. He was father of 
Rev. John Barnard, a somewhat noted divine. In this building Bill 
Smith kept store about 18 14 (he having about 18 10 kept a store on the 
site of the old Checkered building, as before stated), and for a few years 
he was alone in the store, and then it was kept by him and Amos Flint 
until about 1823. Not far from the latter year Mr. Smith went out and 
Mr. Flint erected a dining room and parlors on the rear or east end of 
the building, changed it to a hotel and kept it as such until about 1832 
or 1834. About that period there was considerable agitation in rela- 



68 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

tion to the temperance cause — the old VVashingtonian principles taking 
a pretty strong hold upon some of the people, and Mr. Flint left the 
hotel and was succeeded by Thomas Dugan, who in turn was suc- 
ceeded by Horace Putnam about 1836. The latter continued there 
until the Hill block was erected about 1852 and the old building torn 
down. Bill Smith died in Rome about 1835 ^"d Mr. Flint died at 
Nyack on the Hudson a little before 1870. 

The foregoing are the several structures on the south side of the 
street in 1820. About 1822 Lyman Briggs erected a frame wagon 
shop occupied at different times by the following: Preston H. Grover 
as a carriage trimmer; J. & L. Matteson as furniture dealers ; James 
Graves for a carriage shop ; Nathan Lawton in the same business. In 
that shop Isaac Knox worked some sixty-five years ago. Not far from 
1 83 1 the building was cut into two parts and one part made into a 
small dwelling and removed to the rear of Esquire Barnard's lot, and 
the other part converted into a dwelling where it stood. That building 
and the blacksmith shop of Mr. Briggs disappeared about the time of 
the construction of the Black River Canal. Subsequently two or three 
houses were built by Mr. Armstrong on the sites occupied by the 
wagon and blacksmith shops, and in one of which William H. Parkhurst 
resided at the time of the fire about 1850, when those buildings east of 
the Briggs house were destroyed. 

Not far from 1830 Esquire Barnard purchased the premises he owned 
at the time of his death, and erected the dwelling on the west end of his 
lot mentioned above in 3d and where he resided for some years. A 
few years later he erected a dwelling next to the Briggs house, into 
which he moved. The dwelling he thus vacated M. D. Hollister occu- 
pied a while, also Nathan Lawton, John Wood and Israel S. Parker. 
The latter purchased the building, but afterwards conveyed it back to 
Esquire Barnard. 

Starting from the store on the southwest corner of James and Dom- 



THE GREAT FIRE AND REBUILDING. 69 

inick streets, and proceeding westward we note the following: Prior 
to 1837 Messrs. George and Henry Huntington owned sixty- six feet 
fronting on Dominick street, which included the sites of the Kingsley 
block, corner of James and Dominick streets, and the First National 
Bank, and extending bijick the same width 240 feet to the canal. There 
was then one building, the old store of that firm, fronting on James 
street, and only one on those grounds, which then stood on Dominick 
street, and that was the store which was occupied many years by Gur- 
don Huntington, and which stood on the site of the bank. That store 
was a lean-to east of and adjoining the Rome Coffee House, having a 
roof which sloped to the east. That building was erected about 1808 
and was occupied as a store by Gurdon Huntington until about 1836. 
This store was moved off and placed on James street and there used 
as a grocery or saloon by the late Joseph Beecham. The only build- 
ing upon the lands above described prior to 1838 were those two men- 
tioned. That space sixty years ago was used as a common over which 
cattle and sheep and swine roamed at pleasure and across which ran 
well trodden foot paths and pretty well beaten wagon tracks. Piles of 
lumber lay scattered here and there upon those grounds, interspersed 
with potash kettles, among all of which the boys of that early time 
played hide and seek. 



70 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 



CHAPTER IX. 

THE CANAL ROUTE CHANGED AND THE CONSEQUENCES. 

It is important to bear in mind that prior to 1838 and in fact up to the 
spring of 1841, the Erie Canal ran through "Canal Village," and that 
its present route through Rome was once the channel used many years 
by the Western Inland Lock Navigation Company — a canal constructed 
about 1798 to connect the waters of Wood Creek near the arsenal site 
with those of the Mohawk River about a mile east of here and near 
where Robert McCutcheon formerly resided. In 1837 ^"^ prior there- 
to the Ronans were much interested and considerably agitated over the 
question of changing the old route of the Erie Canal to its present one. 
It was quite generally believed that if the proposed change could be 
made, real estate in the business portion of the then village would 
greatly increase in value. Delegations went 10 Albany and great ef- 
forts were made to procure the passage of a law directing the alteration 
proposed. The younger men of that time and those then in the prime 
of life who had not secured a competence for themselves and were looking 
forward with hope and bright anticipations to the future, were nat- 
urally more zealous in the movement and more sanguine as to its 
good results, than they who had acquired an ample fortune, or were 
on the down hill road of life and nearly at its foot. The subject of 
the proposed change was long under discussion in Rome and the 
topic of general conversation. In the spring of 1836 in a casual con- 
versation between the Messrs. Huntington and Alva Mudge, the latter 
was asked by the former what in his opinion the grounds above 
mentioned would be worth, provided the canal was changed. Mr. 
Mudge, with no previous thought of purchasing, inquired what they 



THE CANAL ROUTE CHANGED. 71 

considered a good fair price for those premises then. Five tiiousand 
dollars was the answer. Mr. Mudge said in reply that if the Legisla- 
ture made a change of the canal route, he and his partner, R. S. Doty, 
would give $10,000 (just double what the land was then considered 
worth). The offer was accepted and, although the Legislature did not 
pass a law directly making the change, the matter was left to the canal 
commissioners to do as they thought best. This was deemed equiva- 
lent to an alteration and the premises were transferred in 1837 t® Mudge 
& Doty. In 1838 the firm erected the three stores, or buildings, in one 
block on the site of the Kingsley block and First National Bank. 

Before the buildings where the bank now is were completed, John B. 
Jervis purchased those premises for $4,000 and continued owner until 
185 I, when he sold to the Rome Exchange Bank for $6,000. In that 
year the bank was incorporated and started in August, with the late 
R. B. Doxtater, president, and F. H. Thomas, cashier. All the three 
buildings at that time were only three stories high with shingle roofs. 
After that the respective owners added a fourth story and tin roofs. 
On the completion of the block in 1838, Mudge & Doty occupied the 
corner store for dry goods, Dennis Davenport the second one, and Ben- 
jamin F. Jervis and a Mr. Brayton the third one. About 1840 George 
Brown succeeded Mudge & Doty in the corner store and the latter took 
the third store, vacated by Jervis & Brayton. In 1 839 Mudge & Doty 
erected the brick block on James street known for along time as Wash- 
ington Saloon, and subsequently occupied it for a hardware store in 
connection with their dry goods. About 1842 a portion of the corner 
store was occupied by Dr. Cobb for a drug store, and about 1844 
Mudge «& Doty again occupied the corner store for groceries, the sec- 
ond one for hardware, and the third one for dry goods. 

The Fort Stanwix Bank was organized in 1847 and began business 
on that corner in February, in 1848, with David Utley, president; and 
H. T. Utley, teller. In the third story of the corner building the Roman 



72 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Citizen was publislied from 1845 to 1849. About 1850 and later P. B. 
Langford occupied the second store for hardware, and afterward Pell & 
Wright and then H. W. Pell carried on the same business there ; still 
later L. L. Lewis used the store for an insurance office and built 
up a large business. 

Not far from 1849 Nathaniel Mudge, one of Rome's pioneer mer- 
chants, conducted a dry goods trade in the third store and after him 
Isaac T. Miner carried on the same business there and was succeeded 
by the Rome Exchange Bank. 

The Rome Sentinel was removed to the second and third floors over 
the bank early in 1852 and on July 15 of that year the first number of 
the Daily Sentinel was issued. The weekly was published there until 
1863, the daily having meanwhile, in i860, been discontinued ; in 1863 
the office was removed to its present location on James street. 

Previous to 1800 a tavern called the Rome Coffee House was erected 
on the ground now occupied by Jonas W. Armstrong and Smith & 
Hammann, formerly E. H. Shelley and H. W. Mitchell. The main 
part was of wood, three stories high, and on the east was a wing or 
lean-to two stories high with the roof sloping to the east, while on the 
west side was a similar wing, the roof sloping westward. It was kept 
in 1800 by Solomon Rich who subsequently removed to Western. Not 
far from the year 1804 ^"d later Parker Halleck kept the hotel, and be- 
ing a tailor he worked at his trade in the bar-room. In the chamber 
of the upright part the Columbian Gazette, the first paper printed in 
Rome, was published for a while in 1800 by Walker & Eaton ; it was 
removed to a building then standing on the west side of James street. 
The Masonic fraternity of Rome held their regular meetings in one of 
the upper rooms of the Coffee House prior to the erection in 1824 
of the Masonic Hall, which later became the Universalist church. 

Not far from 18 18 the Coffee House was kept by Charles Graham, 
and soon afterward by his wife. On the ist day of April, 1827, 



THE CANAL ROUTE CHANGED. 73 

Henry Tibbits became its purchaser for $i,ioo and kept it as a 

hotel until April i, 1839. A jollification meeting was held in that 

old Coffee House by some old Roman citizens who were interested 

in the Bank of Rome in 1832, when they received news of the 

passai^e of the law authorizing the establishment of the bank ; that 

was indeed a great era in the history of Rome and had an important 

bearing on her future prospects. In 1839 the lower part of the 

Coffee House was converted into stores and the upper part used for 

dwellings. The east store was occupied by E. W. Wight as a hat 

store, where he was succeeded about 1842 by a Mr. Avery who kept 

a dry goods store. He was succeeded by William McPhee, who 

was a tailor. The west store was occupied in 1839 ^"d two or three 

years later by Alva Whedon, S. B. Stevens, and Thomas Dugan as a 

grocery store, and afterward by G. B. Morse and E. M. Hinckley, and 

still later, in 1843-4, by H. W. Tibbits & Co., who were there at the 

time of the fire. 

On the 22d of February, 1844, all the buildings then standing 

between where the First National Bank now is and the new building of 

the Central National Bank were destroyed by fire,; in the same year 

r i\ -; c -^ 

Henry Tibbits built the block now occupied by James W. Armstrong, 

and Smith & Hammann. In its third story was Tibbits Hall, for many 

years the main and only public hall in Rome and which was in its day 

considered as much of a hall as the later Opera House was. In 

it shows, concerts, public meetings and lectures were held as they 

were at a much earlier date in the hall of the Stephen White hotel. 

In 1848-50, when Rome was without a court house, the courts 

were held there, and the writer remembers a number of legal contests 

and forensic efforts in important trials between J. A. Spencer, Henry 

Foster, C. P. Kirkland, Thomas H. Flandrau, A. Bennett, Charles 

Tracy, B. Davis Noxon, and other eminent lawyers of that time. 

On the first day of April, 1867, just forty years to a day from the 
10 



74 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

time when the property was purchased by Henry Tibbets, his son, H. 
W. Tibbits, devisee, sold the premises for $15,000 to H. W. Mitchell. 
The alley just west of it was originally a ten foot alley. Where the 
store occupied by John G. Bissell, formerly G. N. Bissell, is there stood 
very early in the present century a red frame store one and a half 
stories high, which was used as such about 18 14 and several years later 
by Jay Hathaway. When Mr. Hathaway moved across the street 
about 1823, John Eddy succeeded him in this red store. It was an old 
building and rotted down or was taken away about 1828. In that year 
Gen. Jesse Armstrong and Martin Galusha, who had become the own- 
ers of the premises, erected a three-story frame building on that site, in 
which they carried on business in general merchandise, stoves and tin- 
ware. That building was burned in the fire above mentioned and the 
present building was erected in 1844 and occupied by Mr. Bissell. 

The next building west and where the store of F. E. Brockett, 
formerly J. D. Ely, now is was a two-story frame structure erected 
about or soon after the year 1800. Dr. Matthew Brown conducted 
a drug store there prior to 1 8 10, and afterwards he and Dr Blair 
were associated there in the same business. In 181 1 Dr, Brown sold 
out and removed to Rochester. Not far from 1815 Stephen Hubbard 
had a store there and a year or two later he and Oliver Grosvenor were 
in company there, and continued until 1826. In 1827 Dr. Arva and 
Abner B. Blair kept a drug store there ; afterwards Charles Brown was 
in business there and also Lyman Briggs, and then Merrill & Hayden 
had a grocery and continued there until the fire. Over the store the 
law firm of Foster, Stryker & Tracy had an office prior to 1838, in 
which year Tracy retired and went to Utica and C. Comstock took his 
place in the firm. The present building was erected by Henry G. 
Giles in 1844, who purchased the premises of Dr. Blair and sold them 
to Leonard House, and he sold in 1866 to J. D. Ely. 

It was in the upper part of this building that Oliver Grosvenor had 
his school, which is noticed further on. 



THE CANAL ROUTE CHANGED. 75 

Prior to i8io the grounds between the store of G. N. Bissell & Son 
and the building erected by the Central National Bank were owned by 
Stephen Hubbard, who had a store on the site where F. E. Brockett 
now is. Next west was an alley and then on the grounds where the 
New York millinery store (kept by Miss Milligan) now is was a small 
frame structure, supposed to have been erected by Mr. Hubbard, and 
which was occupied by a millinery shop about 1816 by Miss Marsh, 
who afterwards became Mrs. Arden Seymour. Henry Hayden, father 
of Cyrus Hayden, and Mrs. A. Sandford, occupied the building as a 
shoe store about 1826, and after him Numa Leonard sold hats there, 
and after him Esquire Barnard was engaged in the same business in the 
same building at the time of the fire in February, 1844. Next west, 
where the stores of Casey Bros, and S. G Visscher stand, was a story 
and a half wooden building occupied prior to 1820 by Dr. A. Blair 
for his office and drug store ; after him Silas Lewis had a shoe store 
there and after him Amos Parmalee erected a building below the rail- 
road where Morgan L. Brainerd formerly resided, and later L. Hower 
& Son had a store. Jesse Bennett, brother of the late Alanson Ben- 
nett, kept a jewelry store there. He afterwards removed to Oswego, 
and after him and not far from 1832 Francis Butler conducted a 
jewelry store in one side of the building and his wife a millinery shop 
on the other side. About 1836 Francis Bicknell succeeded Mr. Butler 
and kept a jewelry store there, and Miss Charlotte Cowles succeeded 
Mrs. Butler in the millinery business in the same store. In about 1842 
Andrew Conlon kept a dry goods store about where Wolff & Doyle's 
store now is, and in his place of business the fire originated in Febru- 
ary, 1844, which destroyed all the buildings from that point east to 
and including the Rome Coffee House. Not far from 1827 and per- 
haps prior thet'eto A. & A. B. Blair purchased of Stephen Hubbard all 
of this property from the store of J. G. Bissell (successor to G. N 
Bissell & Son) to the Central National Bank building. In 1844 were 



7G OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

erected the buildings now there. The west building was an arcade in 
which the post-office was kept from about 1845 ^o 1852, when it was 
removed to Elm Row. 

The ground where the bank building is was vacant until 18 17, when 
the late William Wright built on that site a brick building to be used 
by him for a store. Mr. Wright occupied the building a number of 
years. Not far from 1834 Joseph Stringham, who was the first cashier 
of the old Rome Bank, became the owner of the brick store and also 
the grounds across the alley where Spencer & White's store now is^ 
which also belonged to Mr. Wright. Mr. Stringham sold the store 
which was afterwards the bank building, about that year to Judge 
Roberts and he to J. B. Bradt, and the latter conveyed to the bank. 
The building was twice burned out, although the walls were not de- 
stroyed. Peter R. Worden, afterwards of New York city, had a store 
there about 1839. In 1844 Peter Van Patten occupied the west part 
of the store with dry goods and Henry Seth Roberts the east part as a 
book store. Judge Roberts sold the premises for $7,000 to the bank 
in 1854, when that institution was incorporated. 

Passing across the alley we reach the site where Spencer & White 
now are. These grounds were purchased by William Wright of John 
Barnard about 1804. There was on that site about that time a frame 
building, one and a half stories high, used by Mr. Wright for a store ; 
on the east side next the alley was a lean-to which he used for a count- 
ing room. After he built and moved into the brick store east of the 
alley he rented the frame building thus vacated for a store and the lean- 
to for a shop or office. In the store Isaac Draper traded previous to 
or not far from 1820. Elam Warner was also there, and after him and 
not far from 1823 Drs. Blair and Furniss had a drug store in the build- 
ing. After them Charles Brown kept a grocery there and made a spe- 
cialty of selling Rochester flour; he was formerly a soldier at the 
United States Arsenal, and not far from 1826 kept a bake shop on 



THE CANAL ROUTE CHANGED. 77 

James street, a little north of T. J. Broderick's store, formerly Mr. Mi- 
ner's bookstore. About 1835 he built the house on Liberty street 
where Mrs. L. E. Elmer now resides. A. Bennett had his office in that 
lean-to not far from 1825. In 1834 or tiiereabouts John Bryden pub- 
lished the Rome Telegraph in the back part of the main building, the 
entrance to the printing office being from the rear part of the alley. In 
that office George F. Bicknell served as a printer's devil and learned 
the art of type setting more than sixty years ago. Not far from 1835 
Jacob Stevens became the owner of the premises and soon afterward 
changed the building to a hotel, calling it the Farmer's Hotel. It was 
kept by him until about 1850 when Messrs. Doxtater, Brayton & How 
land purchased the premises and erected thereon the store now occu 
pied by Spencer & White. 

Some time prior to 1800 there was erected on the grounds where 
now stands the stores occupied respectively by F. E. Bacon & Co., and 
D. L. Greenfield, (formerly by Miner & Jackson, and T. L. Kingsley & 
Son), a frame building long known as the McGraw house. Why it was 
so called or who built it is not known. In that building in 1799 was 
commenced the publication of the Columbian Gazette, the first paper 
printed and published in Rome, the later career of which is recorded 
further on. 

About 1807 Elijah Worthington for $500 purchased sixty-six feet on 
Dominick street which embraced the site of these stores and the 
ground where the store of Henry Wolff now is. The McGraw house 
was then standing there, and occupied the ground of the store of F. E. 
Bacon & Co. and half of that occupied by the store of Mr. Kingsley. 
It was a two story frame building, with green blinds, eaves to the 
street, the front door in the center of the house, and the hall running 
through. The house stood about a foot below the sidewalk and about 
1820 it and the front yard were finely shaded by trees. West of the 
house was an alley; and on the west end of the lot Mr. Worthington 



7« OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

about 1 8 10 built a small frame structure for a hat store, and which he 
used as such for nearly or quite twenty years. In this shop E. W. 
Wight worked for eleven years and about 1831 went into the same 
business in the shop, at first in company with his fornier employer, and 
afterward alone; and there Rufus Keeney commenced learning his 
trade nearly seventy years ago. In 1838 Mr. Worthington sold the 
premises to Jackson Tibbits and built and removed to the house on 
northwest corner of Dominick and Kossuth streets, west of Wood 
Creek. Mr. Tibbits converted the McGraw house into stores, occupy- 
ing the west part himself for a bookstore, while in the east part S. H. 
Sheldon had a shoe shop or store. About 1840 Mr. Howe kept the 
shoe store and the building stood there until it burned about 1851. In 
the hat shop Col. Arden Seymour kept a grocery in 1839 ^"d several 
years after ; his advertisement of " Good tea, sweet molasses and sour 
vinegar " was long remembered. Still later Jeremiah B. Hays, a hatter, 
kept a saloon in that hat store, and after him John Harrington had a 
saloon there, and until he removed to the Spencer Hall block. That 
shop was burned at the time the dwelling house was. About 1839-40 
Mr. Tibbits sold the premises to Alva Mudge and John Stryker, and 
the latter conveyed to A. Spencer the grounds where the two stores 
were, and A. W. Spencer about 1852 erected the stores of Miner & 
Jack.son and T. L Kinksley, now F. E. Bacon and D. L. Greenfield. 
The store where J. C. Smith is was erected about the same time by J. 
C. Hoyt, who was the purchaser of the grounds. 

The next lot west embraced the grounds now occupied by the stores 
of G. W. Jones and Jones & Roberts, and extended west to an alley 
which ran about where the dividing line was between the stores of Jones 
& Roberts and Williams & Edwards. About 1800 Nathaniel Mudge 
(father of Alva, S. W., and Nathaniel) purchased those premises and 
about 1804 erected a story and a half frame building on the east end of 
the lot, to be used as a tin shop ; this shop was rented and used by the 



THE CANAL ROUTE CHANGED. 79 

United States government as a recruiting office in 1812. Military 
scenes were enacted tliere during the war of 1812, and many Romans 
responded to the call for volunteers. Major Samuel Dill, a Roman 
was at Sackett's Harbor in the war; Joshua Hathaway was a major and 
quartermaster-general and for a time in command of the post, and his 
son Jay was a lieutenant and for a time served as paymaster, and his 
subsequent son- in law, Judge Beardsley, was adjutant. John West- 
cott was colonel of the Rome regiment and Joshua G. Green, lieutenant- 
colonel, and Rudd, Hinckley, Fillmore, Church, Grannis and Peck were 
captains who went to the Harbor to defend the frontier. Dennis 
Davenport and Wheeler Barnes from about 1816 to 1826 occupied 
both buildings under consideration for general merchandise and grain 
and then R. H. Hulburt and Charles P. Wetmore were there in the 
same business and built a storehouse in the rear for grain. Mr. Daven- 
port went to New York about 1827 and was in business there, but re- 
turned to Rome and engaged in business here in 1839 in the second 
store from the corner of the Mudge & Doty block. Nor for from 1835 
-40 the store was occupied by Mr, Draper as a grocery and by M. W. 
Pruyn as a saddler, and Elias Spencer had a store there ; afterward 
from about 1843 to 1848 L. E. Elmer and J. M, Root had a bakery 
there. Those buildings were burned in 185 i or thereabouts and Virgil 
Draper erected the two stores now there. 

Where the store of H. J. Carmody & Co. (formerly Williams & Ed- 
wards) now is, there stood prior to 1800 a small frame building which 
was occupied not far from 1819 by Ephraim Shepard as a dwelling. 
It was the Lynch estate property and the land and block now there 
have not passed out of the hands of the owners of that estate. It was 
afterwards occupied by Judge Roberts as a law office, and continued in 
such use until it was burned about*.i85i. The brick store on tlie site 
was built in the next year by the Lynch estate. The next brick build- 
ing was erected in 18 17 by B. B. Hyde for a store. 



80 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Some eighty-five or more years ago there was erected on the site of 
the Tremont House, now the site of stores occupied by Karl Burkard, 
A. M Jackson & Co.. and W. J. Lasher, a two story frame house with 
a wing on the east side. There was a passage way between it and the 
brick building last above spoken of Who built the house or when is 
not known. The first person living there, as near as can now be ascer- 
tained, was Dr. Alden, whose wife was a sister to the father of Mrs. 
Dr. H. H. Pope. Dr. Alden used the wing for his office ; he removed 
to Rcdfield. After him and about 1820 Judge Beardsley was residing 
there, using the wing for his law office. After him and not far from 
1824, Leonard Dunton, brother-in-law of B. P. Johnson, resided there 
and had his tailor shop in the wing. There William McPhee worked 
sixty five years ago. Mr. Dunton died thereabout 1832; he was an 
active member of the Presbyterian church and had taken part in form- 
ing the Second Presbyterian (Congregational) church, but the day of 
its dedication was the date of his funeral. Nathan Lawton, wagon- 
maker, resided there afterwards and after him J. M Orton. The build- 
ing was burned not far from 1838 and Mr. Orton soon afterward 
erected a part of the Tremont Honse and used it as a cabinet shop. 
Jacob Stevens subsequently purchased the premises and about 1850 
converted the building into a hotel. In 1856 he gave it the name, 
Fremont House, that being the year in which Fremont ran for presi- 
dent. A few years afterward Mr. Stevens changed the " F " to a " T" 
making the name Tremont. 

Prior to 1825 there was standing on the grounds where the block 
which Hamman and George Benner built about 1868 stood, a two-story 
frame house, which was used by tenants and belonged to Caleb Put- 
nam. That was the only building then standing between the Dunton 
house and tiie site occupied by Ethridge & Co., and it was there 
as early as 1810. It was occupied by the lowest class of tenants, was 
most always filled, and was considered a disgrace ; it was the " Five 



r* 
i 




"1 


# IWli 


1 




... J^j|fc'*'!i , ^s. td 


B^ 




%'"^H| 


^ 








^ 


bf 




1 



J. S. HAStLTON, 



THE CANAL ROUTE CHANGED. 81 

Points" of Rome. At one period it was called the Cattcrfield House, 
but why no one can tell. Old citizens referred to it with shame over 
its existence, and at the same time with suppressed laughter over the 
fate which befell it. It at last became so obnoxious to the Romans 
that about 1828, one night in the early part of June, a crowd collected 
and demolished all of the upper story, first driving the inmates out. 
The next Monday it was currently reported and generally believed that 
as only the upper story was destroyed, it would be rebuilt ; to prevent 
such a calamity a crowd collected that eVening and leveled the whole 
building to the ground. It is said that John Myers, who died many 
years ago, was the leader of the party. A judgment was obtained 
against him for the ofTense and he remained on the limits a long time, 
not being able or willing to pay. 

About 1 83 1 Allen and Lyman Briggs erected a frame blacksmith 
shop on the part of the site of this Catterfield House. A few years later, 
when the shop had became too small for their business, they sold it 
about 1834 to J. B. Bradt, who removed it to James street. There Mr. 
Bradt worked long and successfully at his business. Subsequently the 
shop was removed to the premises afterwards occupied by Rev. Mr. 
Harris and there made into a barn. Messrs. Briggs erected a brick 
shop on the site of the one removed and about 1837 't was purchased 
by Mr. Bradt, who carried on his trade there. 

Not far from 1830 Nathan Lawton erected a wagon shop with a brick 
front on the site or near it of the Hagar block. That was burned about 
1837. On the site about where Hammann Brothers now are, M. G. 
Watson about the same time erected a small building for a harness shop, 
which was burned at the same time with the wagon shop above men- 
tioned. Mr. Watson then built on the same spot another small shop, 
which was used for many years as a beer saloon by J. Wolf and George 
Benner. It was erected about tiie time the Astor House in New York 

pity was built and so Mr. Jasper Lynch jokingly called it the Astor 
U 



82 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

House, and by that name it was quite generally known. That shop 
was removed to the rear when the present block was built. The Hagar 
block was erected some forty- five years ago by Benjamin Lehmaer, for 
some time a merchant here and who removed to New York city. J. P. 
Hagar and George Hammann purchased the block. 

As early as about 1800 there was standing where the store of A. 
Ethridge & Co. now is, a story and a half frame dwelling with barn in 
the rear, occupied about 18 10 and many years after by Nathaniel 
Mudge, father of Alva, Nathaniel and S. W. Mudge. David Warner 
lived there in 1820 and many years thereafter. Jesse and E. B. Arm- 
strong purchased the premises of Mr. Warner and moved the house to 
the rear of the lot, and continued its use as a dwelling. On the site 
thus made vacant Messrs. Armstrong erected another frame building 
which was used by Tibbetts & Culver for a cabinet shop, and the east 
part by O. Wheeler & Son (who is now living in Vineland, N. J , 
ninety years old), as a plow factory. This and the Warner house were 
burned about 1837. 

In the center of the two streets where Dominick and Washington 
cross each other there stood a well seventy-five years ago, from which 
residents in that vicinity supplied themselves with water. There was 
also a well at the same time in the public square at the American 
corner, and also one at the corner of James and Embargo streets. 
These three landmarks (or rather water marks) indicate where the chief 
part of the population of Rome was at that time. That supply of 
water seemed sufficient for the Romans then for extinguishing fires and 
for domestic purposes. The house once familiarly known as the 
Deacon Peggs place, stood on the southwest corner of Dominick and 
Washington streets, where the Glessman- Hower block now stands, or a 
portion of it, eighty-five years ago. As early as 18 16 a man named 
Cooley resided there, and had a blacksmith shop in the rear. It was 
for a long time called the Coorey place. Afterward the father of 



THE CANAL ROUTE CHANGED. 83 

Stephen Brewer resided there, and subsequently Gurdon Huntington 
became the owner ; he repaired the liouse, added to and otherwise im- 
proved it. In 1830 Robert Walker resided in the rear part and in that 
year William Curtis Noyes went to housejceeping in the front part, 
there being no intercommunication between the two parts. In after 
years when Mr. Noyes became one of the most celebrated lawyers in 
this State and lived in his own mansion on Fifth avenue, when he was 
worth $300,000 with a steady yearly income from his profession of 
some $30,000, he frequently inquired of his Rome acquaintances about 
that house, and always referred to his residence there as anion" the 
happiest and most satisfactory experiences of his whole life, although 
there were then only two or three rooms in the dwelling, and 
nothing grander or richer on its floor than a rag carpet. Deacon 
Peggs moved there about 1845 and carried on the carriage business in 
the rear. S. R. Butterfield was then Deacon Peggs's foreman in the 
blacksmith shop. 

The next lot west was the Parker Halleck lot. Mr. Halleck lived as 
early as 1813 and Judge Beardsley as early in 18 17 in a house on the 
site where the block owned by Mrs. Purdy now stands, and used the 
house east where the New York Millinery is as his tailor shop. In that 
shop as early as 18 1 8 the first Sabbath school in Rome was held under 
the guidance of William Hammill. W. E. Wright was one of the 
pupils. In 1823 and later it was used for a private school, where Har- 
riet Alden, Almira Selden, Abby Bullock and others taught at different 
times. There and then Jabez Wight, George F. Bicknell and others 
went to school when barefooted striplings some sixty-five years ago. 
Subsequently Mr. Gillett, father-in-law of J. M. Orton, resided there and 
he added to and improved the building. Afterward Warren G. Brain- 
ard lived there, then Dr. Cobb (1842), and after that A. A. Pavey re- 
sided there many years until he sold out to Mr. Applegate. 

In the Parker Halleck dwelling house on the site of the Purdy block 



84 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Mr. Wilbur, a wagon maker, resided after Mr. Halleck. About 1823 
Dr. George Brown resided there and after him Leonard Dunton, who 
afterward went into the dweUing on the site of the Tremont House. 
About 1828 Anson Parmalee resided there and after that J. M. Orton, 
and then Solomon Purdy, who went to CaHfornia. That house was 
built before 1800, and was raised and improved after 1830. We must 
not forget the small "vine-covered cottage" which then stood next 
west, and where Marriott's blacksmith shop stood in later years, and 
where the Smith Corcoran block now stands ; it was about half a story 
high and sunk in the ground. That was an old building and the first 
man residing there was probably Levi Howard, a Rome constable. 
That was seventy years ago, and it was an old house then. In those days 
the usual mode of conveyance into the country was on horseback; Mr. 
Ho\vard did most of his riding in that way and his business was consid- 
erable. He had a boy ten or twelve years of age and full of mischief 
The following incident was related of the lad by one of his playmates, 
who lived to be a gray-haired citizen of Rome : The boy was taken 
ill and a blister was placed on him ; ne slept in a trundle bed in the 
same room with his parents. After they were sound asleep, and he 
wide awake on account of the energetic blister, he quietly arose, re- 
moved the blister from his own person, and put it on his father. That 
blister, like a faithful team, was warranted to " draw," and it did so ef- 
fectually that Mr. Howard did not find it comfortable to ride on horse- 
back nor sit anywhere for several weeks afterwards. Solomon Perry 
resided in that house many years and until he moved into the Halleck 
house. 

Next west of the vine-covered cottage was John Edy's blacksmith 
shop, where he and John Meyers labored together sixty years ago, and 
Mr. Edy lived in the house next west. That house and shop were 
there about 1820, but were burned about 1835, and another house and 
shop built on the site soon afterward ; there Mr. Edy worked alone 
until his death. 



THE CANAL ROUTE CHANGED. 85 

Prior to 1830 the next house west was a small one standing where 
the double frame house now is, east of the brick block, on the south- 
east corner of Dominick and George streets. That small tenement was 
one of thirty-five similar structures which John Barnard had erected for 
Dominick Lynch in different parts of Rome, very early in the present 
century. The double house afterwards on that site, as well as the two 
between it and the brick block, were erected about 1830 by Isaac M. 
Pinckney, a merchant here ; Virgil Draper afterwards became the owner 
of the house. 

Where M. M. Burlison resided, next west of the Edy house and east 
of the steam mill site, Dr. H. H. Pope went to keeping house in 1828. 
After him Isaac Draper lived there and about 1835 D. C. Bancroft re- 
sided there. In 1835 the steam mill building was erected by J. M. 
Orton, but steam power was not put in until 1845, when Michael Burns 
became the purchaser, put in steam, and made sash, doors and blinds. 
It was burned in 1856 and soon after rebuilt by Mr. Burns. A. H. 
Brainard & Son occupied it thirty -five years ago for grinding feed, and 
after them, John Hook. 

Reaching the corner of George street, we find that in 181 5 Chauncey 
Filer, a carpenter and joiner, erected on that site for Col. Arden Seymour 
a story and a half frame dwelling. Colonel Seymour came here in 18 1 3 
and in that year procured Mr. Filer to erect a pottery on the rear of the 
same lot near the canal ; there Colonel Seymour made earthen ware 
from common clay a number of years. Afterwards he removed his 
shop across the canal opposite where the furnace of S. Adams & Son 
now is, and there he manufactured stone jars from clay obtained in 
New Jersey, which was brought to Rome after the completion of the 
Erie Canal in 1835. Mudge & Doty purchased the land where the 
dwelling stood, removed the frame house and in 1850, or thereabouts, 
erected the brick block now there ; this was subsequently purchased by 
John West and afterwards owned by Dr. M. C. West. 



86 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Going west on Dominick street we find that on the southwest corner 
next beyond where Arden Seymour lived was another of the thirty- 
five small dwellings built by John Barnard for Dominick Lynch. A 
man named Rich lived there as early as 1816 and worked in Colonel 
Seymour's pottery. About 1820 Palmer Cleveland lived there and 
had a cooper shop in the rear. About 1830 John Healt, father of D. 
W. Healt, moved upon the place as owner and fitted up the building. 
Previous to that Mr. Healt lived in a brown house which stood in the 
rear of where Father Murphy resides, and kept his team in stables 
which then stood in the rear of the Baptist church, and said to be 
stables John Barnard erected in 1793 when he built and kept the first 
hotel in Rome in that locality. Mr. Healt and Holloway Brown were 
the only two persons then (1828) who worked out and did jobs with 
teams. Mr. Healt lived on that corner until his death. 

The next house west was where David W. Healt lived in recent 
years, erected about 1820 by Andrew Perry, father in-law of L. L. 
Lewis. Mr. Howard, a minister, resided there a while. He became 
insane, went west, and was taken to an asylum and died there. He 
was a brother of Mrs. Daniel Matteson. 

On the next lot west was a small building occupied soon after 1820 
by James McHarg, father of John B. McHarg. James McHarg 
worked in the arsenal, but about 1826 he started a gunsmith shop 
there in the front part and lived in the rear. 

After passing three or four vacant lots, on which afterwards stood 
three white frame dwellings erected after 1840 by Seymour & Adams, 
there stood an old house with an end to the road, with a large chimney 
in the center of the building. That building was erected in 1814 by 
Col. Arden Seymour, for Henry Cadwell, father of Mrs. D. B. Shelley. 
Mr. Cadwell worked in the pottery for Colonel Seymour a number of 
years after that house was built. In 1828, and prior thereto, James 
Merrill, sr., resided there and until he went into the tanning business 



THE CANAL ROUTE CHANGED. 87 

near the Seymour House site. A constable named Oniii J. Fuller re- 
sided in that house a number of years, and the following bit of history 
connected with him will doubtless prove interesting : A man named 
Cavana living toward Westmoreland, was some thirty years ago con- 
fined in the Rome jail on account of his insanity ; he seemed to talk 
rational and reasonable at times on most subjects, yet he was a dan- 
gerous man to be at large. While in Rome jail or yard he got away 
and went to his house, and news came that he was burning up his 
wife's clothing and committing other depredations. S. G Stevens, 
Thomas Dugan and Constable Fuller went over to arrest Cavana and 
bring him back, but he, pitchfork in hand, threatened to kill the first 
man who came near enough to be reached ; he made a lunge at Mr. 
Stevens and came near running the fork into him. The three returned 
for reinforcements, and a number armed themselves with pitchforks and 
went over a second time. They surrounded him, and when he found 
that he was thus hemmed in he gave up. Cavana was brought to 
Rome, and from here S B. Stevens and Constable Fuller started with 
him for Hudson, below Albany, to put him into an asylum there, the 
State Asylum at Utica not being completed. While the three were 
crossing the State Street bridge over the canal basin at Albany, pre- 
paratory to taking boat down the river, Cavana made an attempt to 
escape ; an excitement was created, a large crowd gathered on the 
bridge, the weak structure fell, and Fuller and Cavana and some twenty 
others were drowned. But to return to that building. Henry Wager, 
of Western, at one time owned the premises, and there Freeman Snow, 
millwright, lived many years and died about 1850. 

About 1820 Benjamin Wright and B. B Hyde erected a small frame 
dwelling near where the corner of Dominick and Madison streets is 
(there was no sign of any Madison street there then) where Charles 
Lefifingwell, father of N. H. Leffingwell, resided about 1828 and L. L. 
Lewis in 1832 ; nearly back of that, toward the canal, was an ashery 



88 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

William E. Wright built in 1826, and which C. Hollister carried on a 
few years later. There was no other building sixty-five years ago until 
the Arsenal was reached. 

About 1830 a Quaker named Wood erected, on the grounds in the 
rear of the three white houses before spoken of, a small furnace ; all of 
his business was done by horse power, and he hired teams to do that 
and the blowing in the furnace. About 1835 Seymour & Adams pur- 
chased the premises, enlarged the building and the business, and car- 
ried on a successful business there; about 1850 they built the furnace 
on the south side of the canal. 

It is a matter of history that the United States Arsenal (now Bath 
Tub Works), where it now stands, was erected in 1813 ; the old State 
Arsenal, built before 18 10, stood where the old St. Peter's church now 
is. Dominick street at the Arsenal prior to 1825 did not run directly 
west as it now does, but instead thereof turned off to the southeast 
of the shops west of the Bath Tub Works and between the shop and 
a small house, crossed Wood Creek on a low, frail bridge, and then 
went west parallel with but a number of rods south of the present 
route. The house of Daniel Matteson and other old buildings there, 
were erected where the road then run. 

When La Fayette visited Rome in 1825 he embarked from the canal 
packet at the White, or Jervis storehouse, which stood southwest of the 
arsenal. There he was met by a large Rome delegation, many young 
ladies with bouquets for the distinguished guest, military on foot and 
on horseback, etc., and was thence escorted by that route to the Arsenal 
and to the American Hotel. Col. B. P. Johnson was on horseback in 
regimentals, having command of the militia, and Col. Arden Seymour 
of the cavalry, was near by on horseback. When crossing Wood Creek 
Colonel Johnson's horse became restive and made a sudden plunge and 
leap forward, leaving the rider sitting as flat in the mud as a tailor ever 
sat on his bench. Colonel Seymour instantly dismounted and gallantly 
offered his own horse to Colonel Johnson, and the offer was accepted. 







' u. 


*5/* tMoiM. 


1 v. 


S<nM 


\ ^ 


" 


i 0. 


ftao atafr 


* p 




f «■ 


BOUMC Ai- OffLCi 


1 JC CarxiAna 


S. 


SUUtU 


' T 


Smjoh^ hauzt. 


1 C. 


Joe fuitut. 


i '- 


Pum^ 


! r 


rroaii hctLSK. 


) A' 


WamtC yaj~a 


' AJl^ <S>«<~fc a».*.z^ J«i^^ 



ROME ARSENAI. 

N. Y 






h/ t 



;.^- 



\ 



!■ I I iwi iimnr 



THE CANAL ROUTE CHANGED. 89 

Commencing at Washington street we will now go west on the north 
side of Dominick street. As early as i8io there was standing on the 
site where R W. Pritdiard and N. Kling erected a brick block in 1871, 
now Roth building, a small dwelling, part of which ^as removed and 
long stood on Washington street just north of that brick building and 
was occupied twenty five years ago by Mr. Kling. Marcus W. Gil- 
bert, who afterwards removed to Watertown, occupied that house 
about 1 8 14. 

An amusing incident was told by an old resident relative to this Gil- 
bert house. There were a number of fine young ladies residing there 
in 18 1 5 and a dancing master came to town in that year who took a 
"shine" to one or more of the girls. He went late one evening to 
give them a serenade. A serenade in those days was an entirely new 
experience to all Romans, except dancing masters, and the family did 
not understand the matter at all when the Frenchman's voice and vio- 
lin disturbed the night air. A brother of the young ladies got out of 
his bed, went into the yard, drove the dancing master off, broke his 
fiddle into pieces, and gave him such a trimming as made him keep 
step quite lively to music of another sort. The brother was under the 
impression that the man was a burglar, or had come there to make a 
disturbance. The dancing master in describing the occurrence was 
very indignant at what he termed Tom Gilbert's boorishness, and 
declared that Tom knew nothing of fashionable life or how to salute a 

lady. 

About 1820 Levi Green resided in that dwelling and it was long 
known by his name. Martin Rowley resided therein 1828 and many 
years afterward. 

The next house was the Grosvenor place erected as early as 1810 
by Philip Filer. Judge Wardwell lived there in 18 16-17 and was suc- 
ceeded by Judge Wiley. Oliver C. Grosvenor resided there a great 
many years and died there, and after his son, Oliver D. Grosvenor, 
12 



90 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

resided there many years. Jacob Stevens owned the property and 
resided there at the time of his death in 1871. 

On the west end of the Grosvenor lot was a small wooden building 
used at first by Mr. Filer for his shop, and after that Judge Wiley 
resided there a while and after him John Eddy, who kept a store in 
1823 on the site so long occupied by G. N. Bissell & Son, and now by 
J, G. Bissell. Lynden Abell, Mrs. D. E. Wager's father, resided thete 
about 1 83 1 and after him Henry G. Giles. The building was after- 
wards removed to the rear of the lot. 

Next west of the Grosvenor place is the Purdon lot. On the west 
end of this an old double house, eaves to the street, stood as long ago 
as 1804 or thereabouts ; it is not known who built it or lived there at 
that early date. Mrs. Bradley, sister of Luke Frink, resided there 
about 1817. About 1823, and perhaps earlier, it was occupied by G. 
W. Pope, and about 1828 by Capt. John Westcott, who went there to 
reside after he sold his residence on James street to Judge Roberts. 
After Mr. Westcott, Joseph B. Read, then Isaac Draper, Morris Chap- 
pell, S. R, Butterfield and others resided there. After James Purdon 
purchased the premises he built the house on the east end of the lot 
which is now occupied by Mrs. Henry Hager. Mr. Purdon was a car- 
penter and before his removal to town occupied the house on the Turin 
road where Nicholas Spring formerly lived ; his daughters however 
occupied the old building and did dressmaking there. The first work 
done by Mr. Purdon after he located on that lot (about 185 1) was the 
erection of the passenger depot of the Rome, Watertown and Cape 
Vincent Railroad just west of the Central depot. It was a small red 
frame structure and was afterwards used for a dwelling on John street 
a few rods from where it first stood. 

East of where White's Hotel now stands there was a little old house 
standing seventy-five years ago, which was occupied in 18 17 by John 
Lewis, father of L. L. Lewis, and soon after 1 820 by John Shepard who 



THE CANAL ROUTE CHANGED. 91 

worked for Deacon Worthington. Afterwards John Edy and then 
John Myers Hved there, and still later a man named Mahany. The wife 
of Mahany was intemperate and one evening when she was drunk a 
child rolled out of her lap upon the hot cook stove and was burned to 
death. The husband came home and was so angry that he gave his 
wife a severe mauling. A coroner's inquest was held in the office of 
Judge Roberts on the body of the child. Francis Bicknell was coroner 
and Moses G. Watson one of the jurors. The verdict was condemna- 
tory of the woman and she was in jail some time, but was finally released 
without further punishment. To add to the misfortunes of the family, 
their boy was drowned soon afterward. A house on that site was 
erected by John B. Bradt about 1850, and gave way to part of White's 
Hotel and the New York store. On the next lot west at its west end 
and close to the old long house now there, a house stood before 18 10, 
which was occupied about that time by a man named Elliott and after- 
ward by Elijah Snell. Richard Dunning, sr., lived there for some time. 
In April, 1818, Judge Roberts began keeping house there, continuing 
until 1829, when he removed to the house on James street where he 
died. Mr. Davenport afterwards resided there and then A. B. Blair. 
The house was torn down many years ago and the house on the east 
end of the lot, where the Hook block stood, was built by Glen Petrie, 
deceased. 

The next house west and close to Judge Roberts's house, was an old 
long house where Jay Hathaway resided twenty years prior to 1836. 
Peter Frear, G. W. Taft and others occupied it afterwards. 

Where the house occupied some years ago by Mrs. Henry Hayden 
stands there stood seventy- five or eighty years ago a small red frame 
dwelling owned and occupied by Simon Matteson as early as 1820; 
after him and about 1828 Alanson Bennett lived there, having there 
begun keeping house. It was finally torn down and Wheeler Barnes 
erected on the site a large frame house, which was burned and re- 
built fifty years ago. J. B. Brainard lived there at one period. 



02 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

The house that was removed by Dr. H. H. Pope to the west side of 
George street fifty or more years ago, formerly stood where Mrs. Henry 
Hager now Hves. In that dwelling Horatio N. Carr, Mrs. Caleb Putnam, 
a Mr. Davenport and S. B. Stevens successively resided. Dr. Pope 
purchased the property and removed the dwelling, erecting the one now 
standing there. The new house was occupied at different periods by 
H. C. Vogell, Dr. Perkins, James Merrill, jr., and finally J. P. Hager 
and Henry Hager, who died there. 

About 1820 there was a small building erected and used as a cooper 
shop by one Gorton on the northeast corner of Dominick and George 
streets, where Mrs. McPhee's house now stands. Joshua Kirkland 
owned it prior to 1820. About 1828 Don A. Lewis lived there, hav- 
ing had it fitted up as a dwelling. Tarsus Hungerford built the latter 
residence there about 1830. 

The old part of Dr. H. H. Pope's house on the next corner west, 
where Mr. Pope has just died at the age of ninety, was built for a 
carpenter shop about 18 16 by Moses Gilman, and was afterwards fitted 
up for a dwelling and Mr. Gilman lived in it, building another shop on 
the same lot and farther west. This was also made into a dwelling 
and Albert H. Pope resided there. About 1828 Rev. M. A. Perry, an 
Episcopal minister, resided on the Dr. Pope corner and had a school 
in the Albert Pope dwelling in the rear, which he successfully con- 
ducted a number of years. 

The next house west, where William Parker resided twenty five years 
ago, stood seventy or eighty years ago on the site now occupied by 
W. N. Rudd's store. It was the residence of Stephen White and in 
1828 was purchased by Moses G. Watson and removed to its later 
location; he resided there a number of years and in 1834 sold it to 
Peter Servey, who also lived there. 

On the grounds now occupied by the dwellings of Sanford Adams 
and Mrs. Eri Seymour there stood seventy- five years ago two small 



THE CANAL ROTTTE CHANGED. 93 

houses, one occupied by William McClenehan for his residence and the 
other for a cooper shop. Later the shop was transformed into a 
dwelling in which a son of Mr. McClenehan lived about 1828. About 
1835 Seymour & Adams purchased the premises, tore down or re- 
moved the houses and built the frame residences there now. 

The two- story frame house with eaves to the street just west of 
the premises just described was Philip Perry's blacksmith shop in 
1820, and was remodeled into a dwelling by Martin Galusha. About 
1823 it was occupied by Rev. David Morris, who was the second 
Baptist minister in Rome. The house was afterwards built over. 

Prior to 1830 there was no other building on that side of the street 
until the farm house of Dominick Lynch was reached. That house, 
with two or three barns around it, stood on the east part of the farm 
at that point. On Liberty street the farm extended down to Washing- 
ton street and in 1830 a fence ran across that street from the Universalist 
church to what was then Francis Bicknell's residence. The Lynch 
farm was carried on in 1825 by one Massey. and about 1830 by Daniel 
Dickinson, father of Ed. Dickinson. Thomas Dugan resided there at 
one time. The house near by, which was occupied some years ago by 
C. M. Greene, was built by a Mr. Coates, who came from Trenton and 
worked for Seymour & Adams. 

The small house standing until within a few years on the northwest 
corner of Jay and Dominick streets, was there seventy years ago, when 
it was occupied by Mr. Larkin, who worked in the arsenal. That was 
the last house on the street going west before reaching the arsenal. 
There was a small house occupied by 1826 by David Stillman, who 
also worked in the arsenal, which stood east of Jay street near the 
corner where Edward Evans lives. The house where Dr. Post resides 
was begun by Peter Warner in 1848, but was purchased and finished 
by Mr. Lewis in that year. 



H OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 



CHAPTER X. 

CANAL VILLAGE IN EARLY YEARS. 

No part of this city presents greater changes and improvements 
than the section south of the canal, which has been known far many 
years as Canal Village. Prior to 1820 there was not a solitary build- 
ing of any kind between the railroad track and what became the site 
of the County Poor House, now the Custodial Asylum. All that in- 
tervening space was simply a swamp, so wet and miry that if a man 
slipped off from a log, which here and there stuck above the surface, 
he was quite sure to sink in to his knees and in some places to his 
hips. This swamp was also covered with timber and large thick 
underbrush, and as late as 1825 there were woods on the site of the 
Franklin House and also where the freight house was built. A road 
had been cut through this swamp and a crossway of logs laid down 
the whole distance, so that teams could pass over it in winter ; but 
in spring, summer and fall, up to 18 19, the crossway was impassable. 
In the winter of 18 17, the Legislature granted a charter to Jeremiah 
B. Brainard and Isaac G. Green and their associates to construct a 
turnpike on that route. The road was built and on October 20, 1819, 
the first tolls were taken. J. Burr Brainard, who came here Septem- 
ber 10, 18 1 3 (the day of Perry's victory on Lake Erie), shoveled the 
first gravel upon this turnpike and took the first tolls. He was also a 
worker on the Erie Canal when it was commenced in 18 17. 

The turnpike having been finished and the old Erie Canal opened 
from Utica to Montezuma in 1820, so that tolls were being taken on 
both, Mr. Brainard built in 1820 a tavern called the Mansion House 
at the old canal. As it was difficult, if not impossible, to purchase 



CANAL VILLAGE IN EARLY YEARS. 95 

land of the then owner, the Mansion House was built on the south 
side of and close to the canal, and across the turnpike, on land belong- 
ing to the Turnpike Company. That was the first building erected 
south of where the railroad now is and was kept as a hotel at the toll 
gate. The names of the persons who at different times kept the hotel 
were James Thompson, Benjamin I. Starr (both of whom also kept the 
American in later years), J. B. Brainard, Charles Mosely, and M. D. 
Hollister. 

The next building erected, and in the same year, was by the State, 
and was on the west side of the turnpike and extended over the canal. 
As the Dutchman said of the pig he was trying to drive out of the lot 
where there was a stream of water, " She vas on both sides of the vater 
at the same time." Here the canal tolls were taken, and underneath 
and across the canal a gate or chain was stretched to intercept boats 
until the tolls were paid. B. B. Hyde was the first collector, and 
Thomas J. Hyde, clerk. Col. John Westcott, of Rome paid the first 
canal toll upon a raft of timber. The building under consideration was 
painted yellow and was built on piles sunk in the marshy ground. A 
year or two afterward the building was purchased by B. B. Hyde, 
placed wholly on the north side of the canal, additions made to it and 
converted into and used by him and N. H. Lefifingwell for a warehouse ; 
it was the first one in Rome. It was then painted red and subsequent- 
ly became the brewery of John O'Neil ; later it burned. 

The next house built there was the Canal Coffee House, in 1824, by 
Daniel Whedon, father of Alva ; it stood on the north side of the canal 
and east of the turnpike. It was a two story tavern and was kept at 
difierent times by Alva and Hiram Whedon, Norman Butler. Samuel 
Henderson, A. J. Roe, and Marvel & Sons. It was burned years ago 
after the canal was moved to its present channel. The next building 
erected was in 1826; it was a small cheap grocery, built by John 
O'Neil, just west of the Mansion House. 



96 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

The first private dwelling built in that section was by Hiram Whedon 
in 1826, and is there now on the corner of the turnpike and Wright 
street. Alva and Hiram Whedon resided there a number of years. 
They also erected in the same year a cooper shop a little farther north 
of the dwelling. It was used in 1835-38 as the first place of worship 
of those who afterwards formed the St. Peter's church. Father Beecham 
took charge of the congregation in 1836 beginning his long and useful 
career in Rome. The building was later changed to a dwelling. 
The next house was built about the same time by William Rich. 
In 1825 E. Shepard, a watchmaker, built a small dwelling a little far- 
ther north on the same side of the turnpike, where Peter Goodier after- 
wards resided. About 1826 James Farquharson erected a dwelling 
west of the turnpike and on the corner of Wright street and went into 
the butchering business. Within a year or two he erected three more 
houses near by. These stood there many years. 

The next year William White erected a dwelling and blacksmith 
shop adjoining or near Farquharson's building. The White dwelling 
became the kitchen part of Barbara Reh's house. In 1823 Elisha Wals- 
worth, sr , erected for Samuel Henderson a bakeshop near where the 
public school house now is, which was occupied in 1871 by Joseph 
Williams. Alva Whedon went there to keep house first in 1829 after 
his marriage and resided there until 1837, having built an addition. In 
1826 J. D. Gage erected a dwelling north of the canal and east of the 
Canal Cofifee House on the tow path of the old canal. 

In 1826 Holloway Brown erected the upright part of the building 
known as the Leffingwell place, near the railroad. B. B. Hyde pur- 
chased those premises and built the addition to the house and resided 
there some years. After him H. N. Leffingwell owned the premises 
and lived there. The property was later owned by St. Joseph's church. 

In 1828 the building so long occupied by L. Hower & Son, corner 
of James and Harrison streets, was erected by A. Parmalee, a boot and 




L 



EDWARD HUNTINGTON. 



CANAL VILLAGE IN EARLY YEARS. 97 

shoe dealer who had his shop where Casey Brothers now are. B. B, 
Hyde resided there a while before going into the Holloway Brown 
house. Giles Hawley first began keeping house there in 1833. M. L, 
Brainard resided there a number of years. 

About 1827 Orrin Powers erected a red storehouse south of the 
canal and east of the turnpike nearly opposite the Canal Coffee House. 
It afterwards passed to Judge Roberts and was known as Roberts's 
storehouse. Samuel Henderson was in it for a time and afterwards 
(1832) Levi and Jotham Scovil traded there. R. Dunning was in busi- 
ness at the old canal and L. Abell kept a bakery there some sixty 
years ago. We have now enumerated all the buildings that stood be- 
low the railroad prior to 1830. 

Canal Village had a slow growth during the first ten years of its ex- 
istence, as the foregoing history shows. Not far from that year German 
emigrants began to arrive in Rome but most of them went north to 
Constableville, Leyden, Turin and elsewhere. They began soon after 
that year to remain in Rome ; some went to Coonradt Settlement and 
some settled in Canal Village. A change in the canal in 1844 to its 
present route resulted in coaxing away about all the Yankees in that 
section. The German immigrants increased, and as land was cheaper 
there, they settled in that locality, and the principal growth was within 
the next twenty-five years thereafter. The Central railroad was com- 
pleted through here on July 4, 1839. The Railroad House, now the 
Ontario and W. R. R. Depot, was built the same year by H. A. Fos- 
ter, Edward Smith doing the carpenter work. It was built on piles, the 
surface of the earth all around that locality being some ten or fifteen 
feet lower than it now is. 

In a little house which stood fifty or sixty years ago in a corner near 

the railroad, west and back of the Railroad Hotel barn, Barney Hoy, 

father of Tom Hoy, lived and died. As that family was one of the well 

known institutions of Rome, it should not be neglected here. The wife 
J3 



98 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

of Barney died in the county poor house, she being insane, and there 
Tom and his sister, the latter also insane, afterward lived. Barney Hoy 
and Tockle Hempstreet were both great wood sawyers in their day and 
introduced into Rome the modern saw horse. Hempstreet reformed 
and became a sober man before he died. 

The locality between the railroad and canal must now be considered. 
Frequent mention has been made of John Barnard, one of Rome's early 
settlers and as one of the enterprising business men of this place and 
erected more buildings in his day than any other dozen men. He was 
about the only man who had the ear of Dominick Lynch, the landed 
proprietor, and who could obtain lands on which to erect buildings. In 
looking through the records in the county clerk's ofifice in Utica we find 
that Mr. Barnard, becoming involved in pecuniary matters, in August, 
1799, assigned to Caleb Putman, a tanner, all his property for the bene- 
fit of his creditors. The deed of assignment was drawn by T. R. Gold, 
a noted lawyer of Whitesboro, and among other real estate, con- 
veyed all the lands that Mr. Barnard owned south of the present 
Erie Canal. The real estate was mentioned as being seventy-two 
acres of "pepper corn lots," and also embraced the land now covered 
by the Bingham, formerly Armstrong block, and so down south, as to 
include the site of the Railroad House, and depot buildings. The house 
occupied by Mr. Putnam was nearly opposite the site of the ofifice of E. 
B. Armstrong, a little way east from James street, and not many feet 
from the then canal of the Western Inland Lock Navigation Company. 
The tannery building was in the rear of the dwelling, but nearer the canal. 
The barn was in the rear of the later blacksmith shop of Joseph Hig- 
gins and his son. The remainder of the land in the triangle formed by 
the canal, James street and the railroad, was occupied by vats and bark 
mill (and in 1820 by a slaughter house) and covered by tan bark. The 
grounds thereabouts and below the railroad was marshy and tan bark 
was spread thereon down to near the Franklin House, where the woods 



CANAL VILLAGE IN EARLY YEARS. 99 

commenced, to better enable a person to keep on the surface. Who 
erected the foregoing buildings is not known, but probably Mr. Putnam 
had some share in it, as he was an enterprising and wealthy business 
man. This was the first tannery erected in this part of the country and 
was a costly one. Mr. Putnam also owned the Catterfield House, be- 
fore described, and what was known as the Butler farm north of Rome 
on the road to West Branch, beside other property. In 1819, while 
lookin^ through the woods to the south, he fell upon a log and a knot 
penetrated his abdomen, inflicting an injury from which he died. On 
his death his property went to his children and Horatio N. Carr, his 
son in-law carried on the tannery a while, but the building gradually 
went to decay and the business did not flourish. An execution was 
issued against Carr not far from 1837, and the grounds in the triangle 
and where the Armstrong and Beecham blocks and the Railroad Hotel 
were built (he having purchased of the other heirs) were sold on the 
execution and bid in by Judge Foster. About 1837 Rufus Tiffany lived 
in the Putnam house, and used the barn and other out buildings for a 
livery and to keep his horses in, he at that time running a stage from 
Rome to Turin. When the Erie Canal was changed to its present loca- 
tion in 1844, the Putnam house and tannery were torn down to make 
room for the enlarged canal, and the other buildings had in the mean 
time been removed or gone to ruin. 

In 1843 B. B. Hyde and N. H. Leffingwell erected the red storehouse 
which stood on the east part of the Putnam property on the bank of the 
canal ; that storehouse was sold to James Merrill, jr., and then to N. B. 
Foot, John Stryker and B. G. Bless. It was burned in 1853 and on a 
portion of the site the later brick block of N, B. Foot was erected by 
Mr Foot and-H. E. Shaffer about 1855. 

In 1842 Parker & Mudge erected the white storehouse which stood 
west of the red storehouse and extended to James street. In the part 
next to the street W. O. McClure opened in a small room and in a 
L.ofC. 



too OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

small way a bookstore forty-five or more years ago, but he enlarged his 
business so as to require his removal to more commodious quarters 
Parker & Mudge sold the white storehouse to Edgerton & Gage and 
that firm sold to the Rome & New York Line about 1853. In the 
course of two years thereafter the building was consumed by fire, burn- 
ing to death a man named Miller, who lodged there Miller was an 
eccentric person who had got out, but returned to secure a bag of 
hoarded gold and lost his life. The Rome and New York Line built 
the storehouse building now occupied by H. L. Rose, southeast 
corner of James street and the canal, and which covers part of the 
site of the white storehouse. The store occupied by R. M. Bingham 
for many years on the northeast corner of James street, was erected 
by N. B. Foot and H. L. Rose about 1869. 

On the opposite side of the street from the tannery property there 
stood close by the canal and near James street, a building with a base- 
ment ; it faced the canal, appearing to have been built for a tavern. It 
was rickety and out of use seventy- five years ago. Close by this tavern, 
but a little to the west and on a knoll stood a small meat shop occupied 
in 1820 by Mr. Andrus and afterwards by Walter Colburn. It was re- 
moved and in its place was erected a small frame dwelling occupied by 
Ormond Butler, Walter Colburn and Martin Rowley, where the 
latter died about 1841. This house stood back of or near the rear part 
of E. B. Armstrong's office. It was in 1842 removed to the north side 
of Liberty street across the street from N. P. Rudd's house. 

It is important to bear in mind that Front street, now running west 
toward the lumber and coal yards, was not there fifty years ago ; in- 
stead a lane or alley ran out from James street about where the express 
office stood in 1870 (the store of L. Hower, jr., now), in the middle of 
the Armstrong block, and so ofif toward Washington street On the 
south side of that lane and on the corner of James street a barn stood 
about 1830-40, which was used by Bill Smith and Amos Flint in con- 



CANAL VILLAGE IN EARLY YEARS. 101 

nection with their liotel on the Hill or Saulpaugh block corner. Going 
west on that alley was a dwelling house owned by Mrs. Hoag, erected 
and occupied by her about 1828; afterward about 1835 by Peter 
White. A few feet farther west was another dwelling erected about the 
same time by Elisha Walsworth, father of the second Elisha, and where 
Mr.White died ; that house was occupied in 1835 by Giles Hawley. Still 
farther was the pottery operated as early as 18 13 and near which was 
a pottery house for the potter to reside in. About where T. W. Ed- 
wards's coal yard is, G. & H. Huntington had an ashery as early as 
1804 and which was afterwards carried on by Levi Green. Going on 
toward Washington street and next beyond the ashery thus described 
was a shop for the manufacture of hats erected about 1822 by Elijah 
Worthington. It was across the canal from and in the rear of his then 
residence and place of business on Dominick street. About 1840 a 
livery barn stood on the north side of the alley opposite the residence 
of Giles Hawley, carried on by M D. Hollister, the first one he started in 
Rome. The enlargement of the canal crowded that alley farther south 
and made Front street, and caused the removal of all of the above de- 
scribed buildings which stood in the way. 

The Armstrong block on the east side of James street near Canal, 
now Bingham block, was built in 1842 by Jesse and E B. Armstrong, 
and there the Rome Sentinel was published from 1845 to 1852. Not far 
from 1837 Allen Perry had a blacksmith shop o-i the site afterward oc- 
cupied by the Beecham block, on southwest corner of South James and 
Front streets. 

The dining saloon of A. W. Churchill was erected by A. K. Adams 
and Jacob Stevens about 185 i. 



102 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 



CHAPTER XI. 

JAMES STREET NORTH OF THE CANAL. 

Taking up James street north of the canal, it is to be recorded that 
not far from 1800 John Barnard built a tavern on the site of the Saul- 
paugh Armstrong block and the two stores south towards the Erie Canal. 
It was fifty feet on James street and extended back forty feet. It was an 
old fashioned two story building, besides basement, with a piazza and 
flight of steps in front. Next towards the canal and adjoining this tavern 
were sheds and a narrow driveway to the barns in the rear. Still far- 
ther towards the canal and directly on the corner of James and Whites- 
boro streets, where the south part of Stanwix Hall now stands, was a 
small red frame building occupied as early as 181 2 by Nathaniel 
Mudge, sr., as a grocery. The tavern was kept in 18 12 by Benjamin 
Hyde, sr.. father of Benjamin and B. B, Hyde. After him Enos Gil- 
bert was landlord and in 18 1 5 he sold out to Elisha Walsworth. 
Elisha Walsworth, sr., kept the hotel until 1825, when Thomas Ford 
became the purchaser, repaired the building and put in a brick front. 
He kept it until about 1 833 when his son, John A. Ford, became pro- 
prietor and named the House Stanwix Hall, by which name it has ever 
since been known. Giles Hawley kept the hotel from 1840 to 1842, 
when John A. Ford again went in as landlord. 

In the mean time in 1838 Mr. Hawley had purchased the Mudge 
premises on the corner and sold them to John A. Ford, and the latter in 
1843—4 erected on these premises the brick hotel which brought it close 
up to where C. E. Saulpaugh formerly kept store, in Saulpaugh-Arm- 
strong block ; this store is on the south part of the ground occupied 
by the Walsworth tavern. After the brick block was erected it be- 



JAMES STREET NORTH OF THE CANAL. 103 

came the hotel and was used as such and first kept by E. Jenks, of 
Troy. The old part was left standing a year or two and was used 
principally for a stage office by M. L. Kcnyon and Giles Hawley. 
About 1845 Mr. Kenyon purchased the whole property, raised the roof 
of the brick part of the hotel, tore down the Walsworth tavern and in 
its place erected the brick block which runs to the store house kept by 
John Hook, which stands on the ground originally belonging to Bill 
Smith, Amos Flint, or Putnam Hotel property on the Hill block (now 
Saulpaugh block) corner. M. D. Hollister kept the Stanwix Hall in 
1847-8, E. R. Robinson in 1849, Harger & De Ryther in 1850. 
They were succeeded by J. L. VVatkins, he by N. M. Clark, he by 
A. W. Churchill, he by George Wood, he in turn by H. Nellis, and 
the latter by W. B. Sink. A. J. Sink purchased the whole property of 
M. L. Kenyon about 1861. 

The grocery store of N. Mudge, above mentioned, which was occu- 
pied by the family some twenty years, was moved to the Lampman 
place near the old burying ground, and about 1831 Nathaniel Mudge 
erected on the site a two story and larger building, covering the entire 
width of the lot on James street. L. E. Elmer occupied that building 
as a grocery for two years after its completion. This lot extended back 
seventy-five feet on Whitesboro street and on the rear end was Judge 
Dill's dwelling house, which was owned and occupied by N. Mudge, 
sr , at the time of his death seventy- five years ago. The dwelling was 
subsequently removed to the old canal. 

Prior to 1835 and probably later, the grounds now occupied by the 
Bissell block, (formerly Saulpaugh Armstrong block) were vacant. The 
sheds used by the Putnam Hotel stood about where the buildings oc- 
cupied by the Fort Stanwix Bank and J. H. Searles now are. Subse- 
quently a large barn for that hotel was erected, which just filled the 
vacant space between these sheds and the Walsworth tavern The 
bank buildings were erected about 1852 and the Bissell block by John 
Bissell not long afterward. 



104 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Crossing over to the Merrill block, (now occupied by the express 
office and by the Rome Citizen), which was occupied about 1820 by 
Levi Green's store, as before noted, we find that on the site was a store 
or grocery as early as 1 804, kept by a Mr. Devereux, and it was called 
the Devereux place for some years after. Later Mr. Elliot had a store 
there and Levi Green succeeded him. Flusky & Scott kept a hat store 
there about 1830. E Shepard, had a jewelry store, or stock, there 
about 1828 and one night he was robbed. A family then residing in 
town was suspected and several of the brothers, the father and one or 
two others, six in all, were indicted and tried for burglary and larceny. 
All but two were acquitted ; these two, a brother and an Irishman 
were sent to State prison. 

Next beyond the Levi Green store was a small building, which was 
occupied about 1820 and earlier by Newman Barker for a saddler 
shop, and later by James Merrill, sr., in the same business. It was re- 
moved and long stood on the north side of Liberty street just east of 
James. 

Next north of this saddler shop was a small building occupied as 
early as 1814 by Judge Wardwell as a law office and later by B. P. 
Johnson and then by Foster & Hayden for the same purpose. In this 
building the Rome Republic was published from 1828 to about 1830. 

Next came the Huntington school house, erected not far from 1800. 
It was a story and a half frame building, chimney in the center, and 
the writing desks against the wall. This was used for a private school 
many years both before and after O. C. Grosvenor had his school 
there. Mr. Grosvenor was there from about 18 18 to about 1832, when 
he removed to Liberty street. Prof O. P. Hubbard, now residing in 
New York city, eighty-seven years of age, attended school in the 
Huntington school house in 1814-1815. 

Passing by the school house there came next a high garden fence 
close to the sidewalk. Against this fence and open and accessible to 



JAMES STREET NORTH OF THE CANAL. 105 

the public and passers-by hung the hooks and ladders which consti- 
tuted the entire fire apparatus of Rome seventy- five years ago, ex- 
cepting the leather buckets which each family was required to keep. 
There was an old-fashioned crank engine of about as much use as a 
squirt gun. The fact of that being the entire fire apparatus, and the 
additional fact that it was left exposed in that public place, will pro- 
voke a smile from those not accustomed to such things. In these times 
the apparatus would not remain twenty-four hours in such a place be- 
fore being carried off by some enterprising and ambitious persons and 
either smashed to pieces or elevated in a tree top, or thrown into the 
canal. The first fire company in Rome was incorporated by special 
act of the Legislature, passed in i8i8, making Joel Hayes and his asso- 
ciates, not exceeding twenty in number, such company. The company 
was a sort of " close corporation," having perpetual succession, electing 
its own members and officers, subject to no superior authority, and 
exempt from jury duty. It had other privileges and exemption.s, 
which made it a very desirable organization to belong to, but not very 
efficient. This was " No. i." In 1826 another company was organ- 
ized and called No. 2, and which was joined by Alanson Bennett. Alva 
VVhedon, B. P. Johnson, Joseph B. Read, Aylmcr Keith, and a large 
number of others. An engine costing $1,000 was purchased for this 
company and used for many years ; it was burned burned about 1850. 

On the corner where the livery of Martin Thalman (formerly H. 
Nellis) now is was the barn of George Huntington prior to 1820 and 
up to about 1845. M. D. Hollister purchased that corner and con- 
verted it into a livery establishment, and it was used for that purpose 
many years. 

Here is the proper place to record that the first block north of the 
Merrill block was erected by Cyrus Hayden, the next one by Henry 
Veazie, the next by John West, the next by G. W. Delano, and the 
next by E. W. Curtis, all after 1850. 

14 



106 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

In 1S04 very near where where the present butcher shop of John 
Fisher is, on the corner of the alley next north of the livery, there was 
a meat shop then kept by David I. Andrews, who erected the Madison 
barracks for the United States government at Sackett's Harbor, which 
were used for the first time in the war of 181 2. Mr. Andrews at the 
time he kept the meat shop occupied a small house which stood where 
the Judge Roberts house was located. At a later period there were 
two dwelling houses between the meat shop and Mr. Andrews's then 
dweUing, the next one to the house of Mr. Andrews being occupied 
at one time by Charles Mines, who was subject to fits of insanity. 
One cold morning in the dead of winter as some one was passing by 
the grounds of Old Fort Stanwix, on which was a well, they heard a 
loud cry from the well. On going there Mines was found in the 
well almost frozen. About 1829 Robert Walker occupied that house. 
About 1825 Amaziah Manwaring lived in the other of the two dwell- 
ings and had a shoe shop near the corner a little back on alley. S. B. 
Stevens afterwards resided there. When Judge Roberts moved to the 
place where he died he purchased the grounds where these two houses 
stood and moved them off. About 1833 and later J. B. Bradt had a 
blacksmith shop where the butcher shop is, in a building which he 
moved from near the site of Ethridge's store and which was afterwards 
removed to James street north of Embargo, as heretofore mentioned. 
About 18 12 Oliver Greenwood resided in the house where Mr. An- 
drews formerly lived and had a blacksmith shop near where Dr. Sut- 
ton's office was in 1 871 (now the residence of M. Thalman). About 
181 5 Col. John Westcott succeeded Mr. Greenwood in the house, and 
built the front part of what became the Judge Roberts house. About 
1820 Colonel Westcott was quite a prominent man in Rome. He was 
colonel of the Rome regiment which went to Sackett's Harbor in the 
war of 18 1 2, was afterwards deputy sheriff of the county and jailer at 
Rome ; and he had the honor of paying the first toll on the Erie 



JAMES STREET NORTH OF THE CANAL. 107 

Canal on a raft of timber in 1820. He died in A4fg«st, 1832, at the 
age of seventy-one years. About 1828 Judge Roberts purchased the 
premises in question and resided there until his death in 1870, a period 
of forty-two years. About 18 13 14 a Mr. Driggs carried on black- 
smithing where Mr. Greenwood had been. The house on the corner 
where E H. Walsworth now lives was erected by the late William 
Wright when he was young. He resided there a number of years and 
after him it was occupied by Dr. N. H. Deering, Dr. Perkins, J. S. 
Hovey, and lastly by Mr. Walsworth and his father. 

The house on the northeast corner of James and Liberty streets 
owned by Dr. Scudder, was erected by Amos Flint about 1810-12. 
About 1820 Bill Smith resided there and died there August 4, 1834, 
and after him to about 1840 his son John P. After that Flint again 
lived there and after him John A. Ford, Eli Gage, and O. Wheeler. 

The ne.xt house was a small yellow building occupied as early as 
1810 by Ashbel Anderson, who resided there until after 1820. A 
school was kept in the rear part by his daughter and others. Mr. 
and Mrs Anderson died not many years apart, both being paralyzed. 
About 1826 Martin Galusha resided there and after him Gen. Jesse 
Armstrong. About 1835 William Mormon removed the front part to 
the east side of George street, corner of Stone alley, where it re- 
mained many years, and erected in its place the present main part. 
He resided there a while and after him Jackson Tibbits, and then 
Norman Judd and then Dr. Scudder. 

On the site where W. H. Pell is was seventy- five years ago a very 
small house occupied by Lansing Wall, a tailor. After that Dr. Hub- 
bard lived there and about 1828 was succeeded by M. G. Watson and 
still later by E M. Evans. It was moved back to make the rear part 
of the later building erected by Albert Soper. 

On the southeast corner of James and Park streets Philander Soper 
resided more than seventy-five years ago ; it is not known who built 



108 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

this house. Mr. Soper was brother-in-law and partner of Pliny Dar- 
row, both of whom were carpenters and did a large amount of busi- 
ness in that line and especially in later years of their lives, in large 
contract work. Darrow & Soper had their shop in the rear of Mr. 
Soper's house. 

The rear part of the next house, on the alley, was the law office 
Wheeler Barnes, which was taken from the premises of A Mudge 
when Mr. Barnes owned that property. The house on the corner of 
the alley and East Park, where the late William Townsend resided, 
was erected about i8iO by Russell Bartlett, a cabinetmaker. At first 
he had his shop in front and residence in the rear. He afterwards 
erected and occupied a shop on or near the site of Dr. Sutton's house ; 
this was burned in 1828 and he then built another shop where Dr. G. 
W. Pope's brick residence was erected, now the site of the City Hall. 
The house in which Mr. Bartlett lived was afterwards occupied by 
Martin Rowley, E. W. Wight, who began housekeeping there in 1834, 
Jesse Walsworth, Warren Raymond, J. I. Carley, and Solomon Good- 
win. The house where Mr. Brainerd resided (now Dr. H. C. Sutton's) 
was occupied as early as 181 1 by B. B. Hyde, and after that for many 
years by Pliny Darrow ; still later by A. B. Blair and C. F. Williams. 
The fire which burned Mr. Bartlett's shop was the work of an incen- 
diary and badly scorched the north side of Mr. Darrow's house. The 
object of the incendiary, it is supposed, was to rob Mr. Darrow, as it 
was known that he had returned from Utica the previous day with a 
considerable sum of money with which to pay off the men employed 
by Darrow & Soper. The money was in a chest under Mr. Darrow's 
bed and when he was aroused by the fire he found his front door open 
and a man in the hall. When discovered the man made a hasty 
retreat and Mr. Darrow at once carried the money to his partner's 
house. Mr. Darrow was an enterprising and worthy man and died 
at the residence of his son-in-law, C. H. Norton, deaf and blind ; it is 



JAMES STREET NORTH OF THE CANAL. 109 

a somewhat singular fact that liis son also became deaf and blind in 
the late years of his life. 

The Dr. R E. Sutton house was erected about 1835 by Philander 
Mudge, and was afterwards owned and occupied by E. B. Armstrong, 
and later by Merritt Brooks. 

1 he old court house was erected on the site of the present one about 
1806, and the bricks in its construction were taken from the locks of 
the Inland Canal. When the court house and jail were burned, as de- 
scribed in an early chapter of this work, the bricks were taken to build 
a house on the northeast corner of George and Court streets, afterwards 
occupied by F. H. Thomas. Oneida county was organized in March, 
1798, and the courts of the county were held at this place until 1802, 
when they were held alternately here and at Whitestown. The records 
of the county show tliat the first term of the Oneida Common Pleas 
was held in May, 1798, at " the school house near Fort Stan wix." The 
first court of Oyer ancj Terminer was held at the same place in June of 
the same year, James Kent, judge of the Supreme Court, presiding. 
In September thereafter the first Circuit Court in the county was held 
by John Lansing, jr., chief justice, "at the school house near Fort 
Stanwix." That school house was situated on the southwest corner of 
the West Park, as before stated. Courts were held in this school 
house until the completion of the first court house. The first jail was 
erected at the same time as the court house and was made of blocks 
of wood hewn into shape so as to fit and dove-tailed into each other, 
making the whole structure firm and substantial. It was considered 
very secure for the criminals of those days. The debtor's room was 
made of plank. About 18 17, and while Colonel Westcott was jailor, 
an attempt was made by the prisoners to escape by setting fire to the 
jail. They did not succeed, although a number of them came near 
suffocating. When the smoke and flames were well under headway 
they gave the alarm, but it was so long before the doors were opened 



no OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

that they came near dying They all crowded to the door, where a 
little fresh air came in, and there they struggled and fought with each 
other, and one of them was either killed or died from sufifocation. 
When the doors were finally opened the men were so far exhausted 
that it was difficult to revive them. They were laid out in the open air 
like so many dead bodies and as they revived their contortions were 
frightful. Five of the prisoners who set the fire were indicted and tried 
for arson, and all were convicted and sentenced to be hung. The gal- 
lows was erected and the coffins made. The day set for the execution 
was in mid winter and men, women and children came in sleighs from 
Boonville and other directions, most of the way through the woods, 
starting the night before and riding all night in order to be present at 
the spectacle and witness five men being choked to death. There was 
a great crowd, but a few hours before the execution was to have taken 
place a reprieve came from the governor commuting the sentence to 
imprisonment for life. The coffins were afterwards used to bury pau- 
pers. Being thus deprived of the hanging scene, a number of the 
spectators clubbed together and erected a gallows in what was woods 
then, near the Leffingwell place, about where the railroad track is, and 
there hung the five prisoners in effigy. Isaac Sexton, one of the at- 
tendants, froze his feet standing in the snow at the gallows. The jail 
preceding the present one was erected about 1849-50 in place of the 
one burned. It is narrated that Bill Seeber was in jail when it took 
fire and that he worked like a beaver to extinguish the flames. When 
afterwards ridiculed for trying to save what had so many times been his 
prison, he asked with a good deal of indignation if any man would not 
work to put out a fire in his own house. Bill understood human 
nature. 

On the west side of James street, as before noted, the only building 
prior to 1838 from the Erie Canal to Dominick street was the store and 
counting house of George and Henry Huntington; it was situated in 



JAMES STREET NORTH OF THE CANAL. Ill 

the first store north of the Dyett block. Mudge & Doty purchased 
that strip from Doniinick street to the canal and in 1839 erected the 
Washington Saloon block, and about 1840 built the next one to the 
south, which they sold to Hager & Ague About 1842 they built a 
block on the site of the Dyett Block (first building north of the canal), 
and in that building the Rome Sentinel was published from 1842 to 
1845, t>y B. Waldby, when H. T. Utley and S. W. Morton purchased 
the establishment and in the latter year removed it to the Armstrong 
block. The Rome Citizen was published there from about 1850 to 
1855. In November of that year the building then occupied by Foot 
& White was burned and the Citizen was consequently homeless. Im- 
mediately afterwards it was removed to its present location. The block 
was rebuilt the next year by B S. Doty, who had become owner of the 
site. Passing by the Mudge or Kingsley block corner and the Ameri- 
can, which have been described, we note that from where Miner's 
bookstore (now Brodock's store) was to the alley going towards Elm 
Row, the land was occupied by two or three structures. The first one 
north of the hotel sheds was a small building occupied as a saloon or 
grocery as early as 1816 by one Burke, after whom a barber named 
Griswold was there. William Sexton kept some kind of a grocery 
there and Asa W. Graves kept a saddler shop in that or one of the 
buildings near there. The Rome Republican was started and pub- 
lished there about 1825 by Laurien Dewy, and was removed across the 
street, as before stated That building was removed to the left hand 
side of the Floyd road, nearly opposite the Catholic church and was 
many years occupied as a residence by Peter Shillenberg, a well known 
butcher. Not far from the corner E. Shepherd erected a two story 
house about 1828, used the lower part for a jewelry store and tiie upper 
part for his residence. It was occupied by different persons after that 
until burned in the fire of 1846. Charles Brown erected a grocery 
store on the corner of the alley about 1826-28. D. Siebald occupied 



112 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

it after that and at the time of the fire. This part of the American 
block was erected about 1 850. 

The next block beyond (Elm Row) was once the property of Joshua 
Hathaway. His house stood opposite that of Judge Roberts and must 
have been erected very early in the present century, and probably by 
him. It was afterwards owned and occupied by Jay Hathaway and 
about 1850 was removed to the west side of George street near Em- 
bargo, where it now stands, No. 313. It is occupied by the son-in law 
and daughter of Jay Hathaway, James S. Dyett. 

A little to the north of the house just described and a few feet there- 
from towards the street, stood the small building occupied by Judge 
Hathaway as a law office, surrogate's office and post-office. The post- 
office was kept there while the judge was postmaster. When Ja)' 
Hathaway succeeded his father in the office of postmaster about 1836 
the office was soon after removed to the Stephen White hotel ; from 
there it was removed to the southwest corner of James and Dominick 
streets, thence to the Arcade and in 1852 to the Elm Row. The build- 
ing used by Joseph Hathaway as his office was afterward removed to 
the southeast corner of his lot next to the alley, and was occupied by 
A. W. Cole at the time of the fire in 1846, when it was torn down to 
prevent the flames from reaching the house of Jay Hathaway. 

The Elm Row block was erected by Miss Marsh and Mrs. David 
Utley about 1850, and was burned on the date above given ; the pres- 
ent buildings there were erected as follows: Thompson House (now 
Commercial Hotel) by H. Thompson and M. W. Rowe ; the next block 
by Henry Hayden ; the next by Dr. Kingsley ; the next by O. Knowl- 
ton ; the next by Charles Tuttle ; and the next by Miss Marsh and 
Mrs Utley. 

The site where the brick residence of the late E. B. Armstrong now 
stands (St. James Hotel) was occupied seventy-five years ago by Syl- 
vester Wilcox as a tin shop. All about there and on Liberty street 





W. J. p. KINGSLEY, M. D. 



JAMES STREET NORTH OF THE CANAL. 113 

fifty years ago, wood in sled length lay beside the road to be chopped 
up as it was wanted, the same as in the dooryard of a backwoods farmer. 
Between that and the brick residence of Dr. Pope (now a portion of the 
site of City Hall) was a ravine or gully through which water flowed, 
making it marshy thereabouts. About 1840 Simon Matteson erected the 
brick house on the corner, and where the house of Dr. G. W. Pope 
stood, was, as early as 1820, a small house occupied by the father of A. 
W. Graves. Judge Hayden afterwards resided there and about 
1829-30 R. Bartlett erected a cabinet shop there which was occupied 
afterwards by J. M. Orton. When Mr. Pope became the owner about 
1832 the shop was removed to the site of the Willett House, as before 
mentioned, and Dr. Pope then erected the brick building last men- 
tioned. 

The next house north was erected about 1807 by Mr. Filer for Fes- 
tus Clark, who resided there a while, but removed to Sackett's Harbor 
during the war of 18 1 2 and died there. Numa Leonard resided there 
about 18 18 and after him the house was occupied by Daniel Bates. 
Mr. Jackson kept a school there. W. E. Wright resided there and the 
next occupant of the house was Ralph Hurlburt, who was succeeded by 
O. B. Pierce. 

On the southwest corner of West Park stood the first public school 
building where the first courts of this county were held. It was used 
for educational purposes until 18 19, when a frame school house was built 
on the site now occupied by Zion church, and the old building was re- 
moved to the site now occupied by the residence of Dr. R. E. Sutton and 
there converted into a storehouse for lumber, and used by Russell Bart- 
lett. It was not burned at the time Mr. Bartlett's shop was destroyed 
in 1829, but was later made into a barn. The school house site and 
the Festus Clark site are now a part of the City Hall property. 

Liberty street was laid down on the maps made by the land pro- 
prietors hereabouts as early as 1800, but it was not opened until some 

15 



114 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

years afterwards, and with the exception of that portion between James 
and Washington streets there was only one dwelling on the whole street 
prior to 1835. That dwelling was erected by Thomas Veazie, father of 
the late Henry Veazie, about 1820, and was on the site now occupied 
by the residence of Mrs. J. J. Armstrong, just west of and next to the 
engine house. Mr. Veazie had a wagon shop on the west end of his 
lot. Nathan Lawton succeeded Mr. Veazie in the house and shop and 
he was succeeded by Isaac Knox After that for many years, Allen 
Briggs resided in the house and improved and enlarged it. The house 
was removed to the rear of the lot to make room for the present resi- 
dence there, which Mr. Armstrong erected. 

In the place of the wagon shop Cyrus Hayden erected the present 
dwelling occupied at different times by him, then by A. Sandford, N. 
H. Leffingwell, and Mrs. Humaston. In front of these premises were 
the old fashioned hay scales and the first and only scales Rome had 
in those days. Sylvester Wilcox was weight master a number of years 
and after him Thomas Veazie had the position. 

The two next houses west from E A. Barnard's, formerly C. 
F. Green's, residence, were owned thirty five years ago by F. A. 
Mallison. The east one was erected by Isaac Knox and the west one 
by Gordonier Freer about 1840. The next building west was the har- 
ness shop of Newman Parker and James Merrill, as before mentioned. 
The next house was erected by Louis Gotier and became the property of 
Dr. Scudder, Going back on the same side of the street, it should be 
noted that the engine house was built about 1850. 

The double house on the corner of Steuben street was erected by 
Soper & Simmons, the part next to Steuben street for Robert Walker 
and the other part for themselves. Horace N. Bill for a number of 
years owned and occupied the west part, and after him Shepard Lee 
resided there, and then William Wright, who died there. Subsequently 
A. Sandford purchased the house and resided there a number of years, 



JAMES STREET NORTH OF THE CANAL. 115 

and sold to F A. Thomas, who resided there and later sold to WiHiam 
Townsend, who occupied the house. The east part was occupied by 
Rev. S. Hayes and afterwards for many years by James Farquharson ; 
afterwards O. Wheeler owned and occupied the house. It later 
passed to Dr. Kingsley. 

The next house east was erected by Merrick Matteson not far from 
fifty years ago. The next two story house east with eaves to the street 
was erected by Dr. Blair not far from 1832 on the Parkhurst place, the 
doctor then owning and occupying the premises. Some forty-five years 
ago the building was removed to its later location. 

The next house, occupied twenty-five years ago by James Elwell, was 
erected by Oscar M. Morton ; it was greatly improved by Mr. Elwell. 
The brick house on the corner of Spring street was erected by John 
Stryker some forty years ago and was occupied by Bishop Whipple a 
number of years. E. P. Waite afterwards became its owner and occu- 
pant. It is now owned by Dr. J. S. Kingsley. 

Crossing over to the opposite side of Liberty street we find that prior 
to 1835 that part of the old fort was a distressed looking place. There 
was a mound and there were ditches and trenches, and the grounds 
were used to deposit dead dogs, hogs, cats, horses and all the rubbish 
of the town. About 1835 Mr. Stryker cleared and leveled the north- 
east corner of the fort and erected his residence. A. W. Cole a few 
years after built a brick dwelling which became the property of Dr. 
Kingsley. D. B. Prince built a frame dwelling which stood next west, 
but which was purchased by Dr. Kingsley and removed across the 
street to the rear of the lot there. The small house in the yard of 
Stephen Ward was erected by A. H. Brainard on the rear of the 
lot and afterwards removed to its later location. The house owned 
and occupied by Mr. Ward was built about 1841 by E. W. Wight. 
The next house was erected by Joshua Dickinson, jr., about 1839, 
and was occupied in later years by Mr. Rathbun. A portion of the 



116 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

house that became tlie residence of S. W. Mudge was erected by Oliver 
Greenwood about 1815 ; he had a blacksmith shop a little back and 
west of it. James Dallaba resided there and after him N. P. Stewart ; 
then R. S. Doty and after him Mr. INIudge. The house was enlarged 
and improved by the last two men. The session room of the Presby- 
terian church stood east of Mr. Mudge's house, but on those premises. 
Many years ago it was sold to P. H. Coyle and by him removed to its 
later location and there it was burned. The residence of Dr. Scudder 
was erected about 1834 by Gen. Jesse Armstrong and he resided there 
until his death. About half way between that house and the residence 
of Mrs. E. Huntington, but nearer the street stood the Grosvenor school 
house before noticed. After being changed into a barn it was burned 
in the fire that destroyed Elm Row. The vine- covered cottage so long 
occupied by Zelotus Lord, as before mentioned, was removed about 
1846 to make room for the residence of Mr. Huntington. 

On the site of B. N. Huntington's residence, being the lot between 
the residence of Mrs. E. Huntington and Washington street, Gurdon 
Huntington about 18 10 erected a story and a half frame dwelling which 
he occupied to his death about 1843 ; afterwards C. Comstock owned 
and occupied the premises and enlarged the house. About 1855 it was 
removed to the southwest corner of Washington and Bloomfield streets 
where it was owned and occupied by Dr. Cowles. It is now standing. 

On the west end of the lot where Col. E. B. Armstrong lived, stood 
two small houses fifty years ago, both of them old. In the one nearest 
the tin shop Josiah Dickerson's son resided and the next one west was 
occupied by Sylvester Wilcox, who carried on the tin shop as hereto- 
fore mentioned. They were old tenant houses and in one of them Miss 
Dickerson died of cholera in 1832. 

Where the residence of N. B. Foot (now D. P. McHarg's) was a 
small yellow wooden dwelling house seventy-five years ago. It was 
occupied about 1820 by Widow Alden, mother of Harriet Alden, who 



JAMES STREET NORTH OF THE CANAL. 117 

taught school in the Parker Halleck house. After that Mr. Vander- 
hej'den, grandfather of N. B Judd, resided there. After that in about 
1 83 1 Eber P. Moon, pubHsher of the Rome Telegraph, lived there, and 
still later it was occupied by S. B. Stevens, D. Petrie, and Benjamin 
Whitemore. N. H. Leffingwell purchased the premises and the build- 
ing was removed to the Turin road on the Lampman place and is now 
occupied by J. P. Olney. Mr. Leffingwell erected the present brick 
building about 1855. 

Where the Parkhurst or Leonard house stands, now the residence of 
Wheeler Armstrong, there was erected a frame dwelling prior to 1820. 
Dr Blair built the wing which was afterwards removed to near Mr. 
Elwell's, as previously stated. The premises were afterwards owned by 
Horace Adams, and there Comstock Baker lived and died. Adam Van 
Patten lived there awhile. The main part of the building was moved 
to the corner of Steuben and Church streets, where William Williams 
occupied it. Not far from 1847 Benjamin Leonard erected the present 
building there, where he lived until his death. William S. Parkhurst 
next owned and occupied the premises until his death. Wheeler Arm- 
strong now resides there. 

The house where John S. Baker resides was built by Cornelius Hol- 
lister about 1828. 

The Universalist church on the corner was built about 1823 for a 
Masonic Hall by Roman Lodge F. & A. M. and Rome Chapter R. A. 
M., the upper part being used for that purpose and the lower part as 
an Episcopal chapel. (See history of churches in later pages). The 
house on the opposite corner of Liberty street was erected about 18 18 
by Francis Bicknell. 

Prior to 1 830 Liberty street west of Washington was unopened; 
there was not a solitary building in that part of Rome through which 
Liberty street has been extended ; in fact that part of the town then 
composed a part of the farm of Dominick Lynch, as has been stated. 



118 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

In the year last above named Alanson Bennett, Charles Brown, Moses 
G. Watson, and Miss Olive Robbins went on to that unoccupied space 
between Washington and George streets and erected a frame house in 
that year. - 

Mr. Bennett built a house on the lot where St. Mary's church now is. 
Mr. Watson erected a house that was afterwards occupied by C. M. 
Dennison and prior to that by Elon Comstock, and prior to that by 
Ambrose Coan, to whom the house was sold by Mr. Watson. Mr. 
Brown built the house afterwards occupied by L. E. Elmer, and Miss 
Robbins erected the house where she resided until her death. 

The next house on that part of Liberty street was erected by Allen 
Briggs about 1832 where W. N. Caswell resided, and where Israel S. 
Parker lived a number of years, and after him Matthew Huntington 
and James H. Carroll. 

In 1828 Mr. Watson leased of Mr. Lynch for a period of thirty years, 
by paying annual interest on $250, that strip of ground between Mr. 
Parker's house and the alley, which lease Mr. Watson sold to Mr. 
Parker who occupied it. Mr. Caswell erected on the lot next to the 
alley the dwelling house now there. 

In 1832 Jeptha Matteson erected the house where he resided until 
his death on the north side of Liberty street. Cyrus Hayden erected 
for his father, Henry Hayden, the house on the site where the residence 
of William Atkinson now is; that was about 1836. It was subse- 
quently removed to George street and became the residence of Cyrus 
Hayden, and is now occupied by C. T. Hayden. 

About 1834 William McPhee erected the house next to and just 
west of the Universalist church. He lived there a number of years and 
sold to G. W. Taft. Afterward M. K Johnson owned and occupied 
the building. The house now owned and occupied by Mr. Atkinson 
was erected about 1848. 

About 1840 Isaac M. Pinckney and W. Mormon built the double 



JAAIES STREET NORTH OF THE CANAL. 119 

lOuse standing between the site of the Miss Robbins house and the one 
iwned by Mr. Dennison. S. B. Stevens formerly owned it and resided 
here many years. 

Not far from 1 834 John M. Root built a bake shop on the lot after- 
/ards occupied by John Hook on Dominick street, now Hook Block, 
nd carried on quite an extensive business there until about 1843, hav- 
;ig then moved into the Draper store near the Tremont House. L. E. 
LJmer bought and removed that building upon the lot of Mr. Elmer on 
liberty street and Mr. Root resided there a number of years, and up to 
he time of his removal to Saratoga county. 

On the site occupied twenty-five years ago by Rev. H. L. M. Clarke, 
lamuel Hungerford erected a small frame dwelling afterward owned by 
I. W. Wight. It was occupied by R. Keeney, H. G. Giles, and S. 
^awrence. It was removed to the south side of Dominick street next 
ast of the arsenal property. The dwelling of Rev. Mr. Clarke was 
rected by S W. Morton some forty five years ago. About 1840 S. 
iungerford erected the house on the southeast corner of Liberty street, 
I'here he afterwards lived. About 1842 the house afterwards occupied 
>y Miss White on the north side of Liberty street, on the corner of the 
lley, and a short distance from George street, was removed from the 
ite of the Armstrong block to its later location. Samuel N. Sheldon 
esided there many years. 

The frame part in the rear of the brick house of N. P. Rudd was 
rected about 1832 for Mrs. Graves, mother of Asa W. She resided 
here until her death. After that John Tibbits resided there. The 
louse on the corner of Liberty and George streets, where Dr. West for- 
nerly resided, was erected about 1845 by Henry Savery, of Western. 



120 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 



CHAPTER XI. 

A FEW OF THE EARLY PROMINENT ROMANS. 

The first Rome merchant located at Fort Stanwix early in the spring 
of 1793 and displayed his slender stock of goods in a room in the tav- 
ern kept by John Barnard, a little northeasterly of the site of the pres- 
ent court house. This merchant was George Huntington, a native of 
Connecticut, twenty-three years old. He had served a year as clerk at 
Whitestown and had visited the Fort prospecting, and concluded that 
the outlook for trade was good. He accordingly joined with his brother 
Henry and began business as above stated. In 1794 Mr. Huntington 
built a frame store and a frame dwelling on Dominick street near the 
corner where the Merrill block was erected. Some of the account books 
of that old mercantile firm are in existence, and it is of interest to know 
that seventy or eighty years ago charges were made for rum and 
brandy against customers about as frequently as for any other mer- 
chandise ; this would be equally true with reference to any other mer- 
chant of those days, and a list of such customers included deacons, 
elders and members of churches as well as others. When Rome was 
organized as a town in 1796 Mr. Huntington was supervisor, and when 
the county was formed three years later he was appointed one of the 
side judges of the Common Pleas, and was twice reappointed. He was 
elected supervisor of Rome in 1804, 18 14 and 18 17. In 18 10 he was 
elected to the Assembly, and in 18 13 was elected lieutenant-governor 
on the "War Ticket." In 1815 he ran for the State Senate in opposi- 
tion to Henry Seymour, father of Governor Seymour, but was defeated. 
He was elected to the Assembly in 18 18- 19-20-21. Under the new 
Constitution of 1822 he ran again for senator, but was defeated. He 




E. J. LAWTON, M. D. 



EARLY PROMINENT ROMANS. 121 

was trustee of Rome village in 1820-21-22-26-27. He and his brother 
Henry retired from mercantile business about 18 16 and devoted their 
attention to their other interests in the State. George Huntington died 
in Rome in September, 1841. 

Henry Huntington was elected as assessor and school commissioner 
in Rome in 1 800, and 1 803-7 was chosen supervisor. In 1804 he was 
elected to the State Senate, the first one in Rome. In 1806 he was a 
member of the Council of Appointment, and 1808 and 1812 was presi- 
dential elector. In 1816-17 he was elected to the Assembly, and in 
June, 1821, was elected a member of the Constitutional Convention. 
He ran twice for lieutenant-governor. 1822 and 1826, but was defeated 
on both occasions. The Bank ot Utica was started in 1812 and in the 
following year Mr. Huntington was elected as its second president and 
held the position until a short time before his death, a period of thirty- 
two years. He died in Rome in October, 1846. 

Alva Mudge was the son of Nathaniel, and the latter was the sixth 
generation from Jarvis Mudge, the first of the name to come to America 
from England in 1638. Nathaniel Mudge settled in Rome not far from 
1800 and lived in a small frame house just west of the site of the Will- 
ett House. He afterwards lived in other places, and had a grocery on 
the corner of James and Whitesboro streets, on a part of the site of 
Stanwix Hall. He died in February, 1821, Alva Mudge was the 
fourth of his ten children and the elder son. In 1826 he began busi- 
ness as a grocer in the old Checkered building. In 1837 he and his 
brother-in-law, Roland S. Doty, purchased the premises on Dominick 
street in some part of which he was long in business, either alone or 
with Mr. Doty. During his long life in Rome he was prominently 
identified with the growth of the place, and as trustee of the village, of 
the Presbyterian church, a director in the banks and various other en- 
terprises, he gained the confidence and respect of the community. 

Lebbeus E. Elmer, son of Theodorus Elmer, was born in Montgom- 

16 



122 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

ery county October 21, 179 1. He worked at farming until he was 
twenty years old, and in June, 1831, settled in Rome. The first work 
he did was to aid Nathaniel Mudge in digging a well on the lot where 
Stanwix Hall stands. Later he began the grocery trade. He married 
a sister of Alva Mudge and was all the remainder of his life a leading 
citizen He held the offices of assistant U. S. assessor of internal reve- 
nue, U. S. deputy collector, deputy sheriff, and other positions of 
honor. 

John B. Jervis came with his parents to Rome, from Long Island, in 
the same year Oneida county was formed. In 18 17, when the con- 
struction of the Erie Canal commenced, Benjamin Wright, the engineer, 
was in need of an axman, and young Jervis was temporarily engaged. 
He was ready with an ax and apt in learning, and soon after he was 
promoted to the position of rodman in the survey, for twelve dollars 
per month. He then turned his attention to the study and practice of 
surveying and engineering, and made such proficiency under Mr. Wright 
that in two years he was made resident engineer, at one dollar and a 
quarter a day, on seventeen miles of the canal, extending from Madison 
into Onondaga county. After remaining there two years he was made 
resident engineer for two years more, on a more difficult and important 
division near Amsterdam. In 1823 he was made superintendent of the 
work for fifty miles of the canal, employing and discharging all the 
subordinates. When the canal was completed in 1825, having been 
seven years on that work, he resigned to engage in higher duties, and 
he received from Henry Seymour, canal commissioner and the father of 
Governor Seymour, a kind and very commendatory letter. He re- 
ceived from Benjamin Wright, then chief engineer of the Delaware and 
Hudson Canal, the appointment of assistant engineer, and upon Mr. 
Jervis devolved the main duties. He examined the route, and on his 
recommendation the use of the river, for part of the way, as was first 
intended, was abandoned. He was engaged as engineer on a great 



EARLY rROMINENT ROMANS. 123 

many other works of internal improvement, among which may be men- 
tioned the railroad between Albany and Schenectady, the Schenectady 
and Saratoga Railroad, the Chenango Canal, the eastern division of the 
Erie Canal on its enlargement in 1836, the Croton Water Works, sup- 
plying New York city with water, and which was considered the great- 
est piece of engineering skill in the world, and the success of which 
gave Mr. Jervis a world wide reputation. He was consulting engineer 
to supply Boston with water, and chief engineer of the Hudson River 
Railroad, etc. The water works of Port Jervis (a place on the Erie 
Railroad named after him) were constructed under his approval and the 
Rome water works plan was submitted to him and received his sanction. 
He was during most of his long life a consistent and active member of 
the First church in Rome, which he joined in 18 16. 

Lynden Abell, who died June 28, 1884, was a native of New Hamp- 
shire, and settled in Rome in 1826. He was a baker and confectioner, 
and later a prominent contractor on public works, particularly on the 
canals. He was one of the founders of the First M. E. church, and an 
honorable and useful citizen. 

Marquis D. Hollister died November 23, 1891. He was born in the 
town of Chatham, Conn., in June, 181 1, and after learning the harness- 
making trade, settled in Rome in the winter of 1836-7, leasing a hotel 
the property of his uncle, Jeremiah Brainerd, on the south side of the 
canal, for $150 a year. Four years later he engaged in the stage and 
livery business with Giles Hawley and M. L. Kenyon. In 1846 he 
leased the Stanwix Hall hotel and kept it two years, afterwards re-en- 
gaging in the livery business which he followed until 1885. He was a 
Whig politician of some prominence. 

Jesse Walworth was born in the town of Rome, July 26, 1806, and 
died March 9, 1892. His father was also named Jesse, and was one 
of the pioneers. Mr. Walworth was employed nearly the whole of his 
active life in building operations for Benjamin and Edward Huntington. 



124 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

He was a Whig and Republican in politics, but held no office except 
village trustee. 

William T. Pratt, born in Lyme, Conn., October 29, 1800, was a son 
of Daniel Pratt, and died in Rome, April i, 1893. The family settled 
in Rome in 18 16. Mr. Pratt was a carpenter by trade and was en- 
gaged in building operations up to within a short time of his death. 
He was upright in business and an industrious and useful citizen. 



BUSINESS INTERESTS IN 1848. 125 



CHAPTER XII. 

BUSINESS INTERESTS OF ROME IN 1848. 

The following is a record of the major part of the business interests 
in Rome in 1848 : 

It should be borne in mind that the great fire in January, 1846, 
which originated in the shoeshop (up stairs) of John McCarrick, in a 
building then situated where the store of R. Keeney afterwards was, 
swept away all of the buildings on the northerly side of Dominick street 
from and including the American corner to a point a little west of the 
site of the Willett House. In that year and the next the burned dis- 
trict was mainly rebuilt, except that most of the buildings east of where 
Rufus Keeney & Son's hat store was were not ready for occupancy 
until late in the year 1847 ^"<^ some not until 1848. The Willett 
House was finished in the last named year and E. R Lewis became its 
first landlord, and a capital landlord and a prince of good fellows he 
was. He subsequently removed to Chittenango and kept the Spring 
House there, and not far from 1857 was chief clerk in the National 
Hotel at Washington. 

In 1846 William Atkinson was in the clothing business in what be- 
came a shoe store next to the Willett House. Mr. Atkinson had clerked 
in Kingsley's clothing store in Utica for four years prior to 1847 ^^^^ 
in September of that year he came to Rome to start in business. Next 
east of Mr. Atkinson, Peck & Keeler were in the notion and dry goods 
trade. Subsequently Mr. Keeler went across the street and the firm of 
Keeler & Stokes was there established. About 1868-70 Mr. Keeler 
went to New York. Next east of Peck & Keeler J. Stalker was in the 
clothing business. He came from New York city in the spring of 1847 



12G OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

and subsequently located on the opposite side of Dominick street In 
the store afterwards occupied by Mr. Atkinson, H. A. Wilcox and S. 
W. Mudge were in the dry goods and crockery trade. Farther east 
Elmer Brothers carried on a grocery and bakery. Where Wardwell 
Brothers are, Harmon Emerson was in the hardware business and over 
this store Dr. J. A. Cowles had his dental rooms. 

In 1847 Daniel Cady had come up from the Armstrong block and 
located in Jeptha Matteson's building where J. S. Dyett afterwards 
carried on business. It was considered in that year quite out of town, 
as it was the last dry goods store west on that side of the street. Mr. 
Cady kept dry goods and dealt extensively in merchant iron. H. D. 
Spencer, H. K. White, and Eugene Vogell were his clerks. Mr. Spen- 
cer came to Rome as his clerk in 1845 and Mr. White in the spring of 
1846 and a few years later went into business for themselves. The firm 
of Spencer & White has ever since been in existence and is the oldest 
in that line in Rome. 

On that side of the street T. J. Hyde and A. H. Edgerton were in 
the grocery business. Francis Bicknell was in jewelry trade near 
there and also J. S. Hovey. S. B. Stevens was in the boot and shoe 
business in the store afterwards occupied by M. M. Davis; he came to 
Rome in 1826. Robert Walker and Morris Chappell were merchant 
tailors in the store afterwards occupied by Robert T. Walker. Near by, 
Levi Scofil and Richard Dunning were together in the grocery and pro- 
vision business. Jeptha Matteson was engaged in the cabinet and fur- 
niture business. He came to Rome in 1820 and started in the business 
in 1824. C. F. Williams and Jabez Wight were partners in the hat, 
cap, and fur business in the store long occupied by N. P. Rudd, and 
Rufus Keeney was then in their employ. J, A. Dudley and H. S. Hill 
were in the drug business where F. J. Hager & Co. now are. Henry 
Veazie was a merchant tailor just east of Dudley & Hill. Dr. J. M. 
Sturdevant had come from Lewis county that year and had his office in 



BUSINESS INTERESTS IN 1848. 127 

the Empire block, the same building where a quarter of a century 
later he was found dead in a chair in his office. 

The American was kept by A. Rowe, whose rotund form and 
genial face will be remembered by some of the older Romans. 
Just around the corner on James street Frank Edwards was estab- 
lished in the boot and shoe trade ; some years later he removed to the 
southerly side of Dominick street opposite the Willett House. Next 
to Mr. Edwards, R. G. Savery was in trade. James Merrill, sr., 
who built the Merrill block in 1844, was in the harness and saddlery 
business there in 1848, and Gordonier Freer was at work in the same 
building. Mr. Freer came to Rome in April, 1831, on the first canal 
packet that left Utica in that year. In 1848 Dr. J. V. Cobb had 
his dwelling and office on or near the site of the Sink opera house. 
On the grounds occupied by the Hill block and the Fort Stanwix 
Bank building, there stood the Northern Hotel then kept by Horace 
Putnam, father of P. R. and B. H. Putnam. Mr. Putnam was a 
genial and companionable landlord and had a large patronage from 
the surrounding country. Stanwix Hall was then kept by M. D. Hol- 
lister. 

In the Armstrong block J. & E. B. Armstrong were in trade. 
Col. E. B. Armstrong became a Roman in 1826 and no man was more 
actively engaged in business or made a deeper impress on the material 
interests of the place than he. The law firm of Foster, Bennett & 
Eoardman was in the same block, and H. W. Johnson was a law student 
in the office. He was subsequently deputy secretary of state. In 
the same block Henry Hayden .and S. P. Lewis were in trade and 
Thomas Bali had just started a drug store there. In the upper story of 
that block the Rome Sentinel was published by C. Comstock and A. J. 
Rowley. Opposite that block and in the white store house on the 
canal, W. O. McClure was in the book and periodical trade, and I. S. 
Parker was in the forwarding business. 



128 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

In the building where was erected the Dyett block, H. M. Lawton 
and R. S. Doty were in the grocery business and also were partners 
with Mudge, Langford & Co. in dry goods and hardware trade further 
up the street and around the corner on Dominick street. Mr. Lawton 
first came to Rome in 1842. Glen Petrie was in the meat business in 
the Dyett block on the canal. He came to Rome in 1832 and learned 
the trade of butcher with James Farquharson, then in that business on 
the old canal. William McPhee was a merchant tailor in the same 
building, and J. B. McHarg was in business up stairs. Alva Mudge, 
P. B. Langford, and Frank De Ryther were of the firm of Mudge, Lang- 
ford & Co. Mr. Mudge was for many years a conspicuous figure in the 
business interests of Rome. 

F"ort Stanwix Bank was started in 1848 and was located on the cor- 
ner where Lawton & Co.'s store was. David Utley was its first presi- 
dent ; W. N. Nellis, cashier, and H. G. Utley, teller. On the second 
floor overhead Comstock & Beach were together as attorneys and their 
only law student was David E. Wager. On the third floor of that block 
the Roman Citizen was published by Alfred Sandford and George Scott. 
J. P. Fitch was editor. Judge G. H. Lynch was admitted to the bar a 
year or so before and he and John Stryker were law partners and had 
their office near that oi Comstock & Beach. Where the First National 
Bank is now located, Nathaniel Mudge had a dry goods store in 1848. 
O. D. & C. P. Grosvenor had a bookstore where is now the Armstrong 
store. 

W. H. and Z. Hill and William L. Howland were in company in the 
dry goods trade where H. W. Mitchell was afterwards located. Over- 
head Frost & Utley and C. M. Denison had their law offices. In the 
third story of that block was Tibbits Hall where the courts were held in 
1848, while the court house was being built. It was the only public 
hall in Rome in those days. In the Checkered store afterwards occu- 
pied by G. N. & J. G. Bissell, G. N. and J. G. Bissell and Benjamin Leonard 




■f f^lB^B^ 



-\ ^ 




NEWTON MANN. 



BUSINESS INTERESTS IN 1848. 129 

were partners in the drug business. Timothy N. Kellogg was their 
clerk. Some old citizens may remember the witticisms and practical 
jokes of genial Tim Kellogg. Overhead, Drs. H. H. Pope and H. H. 
Beach had their office. Next beyond was the store built by H. G. Giles 
and where he was in the stove trade in 1848. Farther west and next 
to the Central Bank building was the Arcade where the post-office was 
kept by Jay Hathaway. Drs. A. Blair and T. J Bergen were partners 
and had their office there. 

James H. Carroll, who came to Rome in 1830, had a boot and shoe 
store in the Arcade, and G. E. Cone, who first came to Rome in 1837, 
was Mr Carroll's foreman. Perkins & AUport were together in the 
dental business Andrew Gilbert had a barber shop in the Arcade, 
Mrs S. Mallison a millinery store, and J. B. Smith a daguerrean gal- 
lery. On the ground now occupied by Spencer & White, Jacob Ste- 
vens kept the Farmers' Hotel in a wooden structure, and had since 
1835. Farther on John Harrington had just started a saloon. Still 
farther west L. E. Elmer and J. M. Root were in the bakery business and 
near by A. Spencer, who came to Rome in 1838, was in the stove busi- 
ness and with him as employee was J. D. Ely. Mr. Ely, when a boy 
on June 27, 1839, came to Rome on the first train of cars which ran 
over the road west of Utica. Benjamin Lehmair had a dry goods store 
near by and Daniel Sterns had a grocery nearly opposite the Willett 
House ; in that vicinity also George Alexander and Alva Briggs were 
in the furniture business. 

Joseph Higgins had a blacksmith shop where he continued many 
later years, and Col. J. B. Bradt was in the same business, but found 
time to attend to politics. He was a resident of Rome from 1828. 
Woodman Kimball was a master builder and an influential Whig ; B. C. 
Dean was in the same business, as also was D. B. Prince. John J. 
Parry, jr., was then just coming to the front as a master mechanic and 
builder and an active Democratic politician. V. Q. Amidon was ex- 
17 



130 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

press messenger. E. M. Hinckley railroad ticket agent and the first one 
in Rome, and G. W. Swan was telegraph operator and clerk in the post- 
office. Daniel Petrie was a Rome constable. A. W. Cole was a painter 
and glazier and George P. Russ, who came to Rome in 1846, was learn- 
ing his trade with Mr. Cole. Orson Wheeler was a manufacturer of 
plows and Albert Soper and W. R. Simmons had a lumber yard on the 
canal near Washington street and a carpenter shop on Liberty street 
east of James. J. M. Orton was in the furniture business and A. A. 
Pavey in the notion trade. Harrison Jacobs, who came to Rome in 
1825, was in the forwarding and grocery business on the canal. N. H. 
Leffingwell and B. B. Hyde were in the forwarding business in the old 
red storehouse, and A. Ethridge and W. Northrup were in groceries 
in the white storehouse opposite the Armstrong block. In that year 
Mr. Ethridge was for the first time elected supervisor and Frank De 
Ryther town clerk in the Democratic town of Rome. 

The only public school then in the village was taught by C. W. White 
in the school house on the site of Zion church. E. H. Shelley was 
town superintendent of schools, and the trustees were J. D. Gage, R. 
G. Savery, and Elon Comstock. The Rome Academy was started that 
year with Rev. S. R. Brown, principal, and J. S. Townsend, assistant. 
Miss S. Jennings was preceptress and Miss Cadwell assistant, with Miss 
Sarah G. Sill in charge of the primary department. 

Thomas, Court and Embargo streets were unoccupied west of Wash- 
ington street, and George street was worked only as far north as Court 
street. There was only one dwelling on the west side of Washington 
street (the Presbyterian parsonage) between the dwelling of the late M. 
L. Brainard and the dwelling of J. B. Jervis. There were only two or 
three trains each way on the Syracuse and Utica Railroad and the New 
York papers did not reach Rome until thirty-six hours after their issue. 

While these notes do not, probably, cover every business interest at 
Rome at the date under consideration, they give a good general idea of 
the situation. 



CITY INCORPORATION AND CIVIL LIST. 131 



CHAPTER XIII. 

CITY INCORPORATION AND CIVIL LIST. 
t 

Rome was incorporated as a city by an act entitled "an act to in- 
corporate the city of Rome," passed February 23, 1870, of which the 
following is a copy : 

J; 1. All that part of the county of Oneida now known as and being the town of 
Rome shall be a city, known as the city of Rome, and the citizens of this State from 
time to time inhabitants within the said boundaries shall be a corporation by the 
name of the city of Rome, and as such may sue and be sued, complain and defend 
in any court, make and use a common seal, and alter it at pleasure; and may re- 
ceive by gift, grant, devise, bequest, or purchase, and hold and convey, such real or 
personal property as the purpose of the corporation maj' require. 

i^ 2. (As amended by ^ 6, chapter 576, Laws of 1875.) The said city shall be 
divided into five wards I'espectively, as follows, namely: 

First Ward. — All that portion of said city bounded as follows, viz. ; Beginning at 
a point at the intersection of James and Dominick Streets, in the city of Rome; 
running thence along the centre of James Street to the intersection thereof with the 
Wright Settlement Road, near the Ridge Mills; thence along the centre of the 
Wright Settlement Road and the Watson Hollow Road to the line of said city and 
town of Floyd ; thence running along said southerly line to the centre of the 
Mohawk River; thence running up said river, and the centre thereof, to said Dom- 
inick Street; thence running along the centre of said Dominick Street to the place 
of beginning, shall comprise the First Ward. 

Second Ward. — All that part of said city bounded as follows, viz.: Lying south 
of the First Ward and east of a line commencing at the intersection of said James 
and Dominick Streets, and running along the centre of said James Street and the 
Madison Plank-Road to the intersection of said plank-road with the road to Verona 
Village at the Oneida County Poor-House, and thence along the centre of said 
Verona Road to the city line, shall comprise the Second Ward. 

Third Ward. — All that part of said city described as follows, viz. : Lying west- 
erly of the Second Ward and southerly of a line commencing at the intersection of 
said James and Dominick Streets, and running along the centre of said Dominick 



132 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

street, prolonged along the centre of the highway to the junction of the Rome and 
Taberg and former Rome and Oswego Plank-Roads; thence running along the 
centre of said last-named road to the city line, shall comprise the Third Ward. 

Fourth IVard.— AW that part of said city described as follows, viz.: Lying 
northerly of the Third Ward and westerly of a line commencing at the centre of 
said Dominick Street and George Street in the former village of Rome ; running 
thence up the centre of said George Street to Thomas Street in said village; thence 
running along the centre of said Thomas Street to the Cemetery Road so called; 
thence along the line to the centre of said Cemetery Road prolonged to the line of 
said city and town of Lee, near the house of William H. Smith, at Lee Line, so 
called, shall comprise the Fourth Ward. 

/t/"/// l-Vard. —Al\ that part of said city described as follows, viz. : Lying easterly 
of the Fourth Ward, westerly of the First Ward, and northerly of the centre of 
Dominick Street, shall comprise the Fifth Ward. 

The first city election was held March i, 1870, and the following 
officers were elected, viz.: Mayor, Calvert Comstock; recorder, Stephen 
Van Dresar; collector, Joseph Kapfer ; assessors, N. Hyde Leffingwell, 
George Hauck, David D. Morton ; justices of the peace, George W. 
Davis, James H. Southworth ; constables, Thomas C. Wilds, Daniel 
Petrie, Daniel Krebs, James E. Hibbard ; First Ward officers : Stiper- 
visor, Henry O. Southworth ; aldermen, George Merrill, George P. 
Russ, John Shortall ; inspectors of election, Charles F. Green, Georg 
H. Brodock, Henry W. Pell. Second Ward officers : Supervisor, John 
Singleton ; aldermen, Martin Toepp, James Hagerty, Harmon Oeinck ; 
inspectors of election, Harrison H. Hartwell, Stephen Van Dresar, 
William McPherson. Third Ward officers : Supervisor, John Reifert ; 
aldermen, John De Ryther, Peter Connor, Christian Nestle, sr.; in- 
spectors of election, Louis Roth, James Corcoran, Jonathan Talcott. 
Fourth Ward officers: Supervisor, James Stevens; aldermen, Cyrus 
Hayden, William Parker, William H. Davies ; inspectors of election, 
Giles K. Brown, William W. Smith, William R. Olney. Fifth Ward 
officers : Supervisor, Alfred Ethridge ; aldermen, A. P. Tuller, William 
Jackson, Glen Petrie; inspectors of election, L. E. Elmer, Edward H. 
Shelley, Alva Whedon. 



e 



CITY INCORPORATION AND CIVIL LIST. 133 

1871. — Mayor, George Merrill. Supervisors,! Henry O. Soiithvvortb, 
George Barnard, John Reiffert, Daniel Hager, Alfred Ethridge. Alder- 
men, John Shortall, Andrew Effler, Christian Nestle, Walter Lamb, Je- 
rome Graves. Recorder, Stephen Van Dresar. 

1872 — Mayor, George Merrill. Supervisors, Henry O. Southvvorth, 
George Barnard, James D. Corcoran, Daniel Hager, Alfred Ethridge. 
Aldermen, George P. Russ, Andrew J. Sink, Dennis J. Griffin, Gorman 
G. Armstrong, William Jackson. Recorder, Stephen Van Dresar. 

1873. — Mayor, George Merrill. Supervisors, N. H. Leffingwell, 
George Barnard, James D. Corcoran, Erastus Tiffany, George W. G. 
Kinney. Aldermen, Daniel L. Ketcham, George P. Goodier, Peter 
Quinn. Fred E. Mitchell, Alfred Sandford. Recorder, Stephen Van 
Dresar. 

1874. — Mayor, George Merrill. Supervisors, N. H. Leffingwell, 
George Barnard, James D. Corcoran, Erastus Tiffany, George W. G. 
Kinney. Aldermen, Richard H. Jones, Joseph Kapfer, Samuel M. 
Cole, Cyrus D. Prescott. Recorder, G. Harrison Lynch. 

1875. — Mayor, Samuel B. Stevens. Supervisors, N. H. Leffingwell, 
George Barnard, James D. Corcoran, Erastus Tiffany, George W. G. 
Kinney. Aldermen, Franklin B. Beers, John Kelley, Moulton M. Bur- 
lison, Jerome L. Mudge, Robert T. Walker. Recorder, G. Harrison 
Lynch. 

1876. — Mayor, Samuel B. Stevens. Supervisors, N. H. Leffingwell, 
Lawrence Gaheen, James D. Corcoran, Erastus Tiffany, George W. G. 
Kinney. Aldermen, John Shortall, Peter Cole, William Shanley, 
Frederick E. Mitchell, Don P. McHarg, Recorder, G Harrison Lynch. 

1877. — Mayor, Edward L. Stevens. Supervisors, N. H. Leffingwell, 
Lawrence Gaheen, W. J. Cramond, Homer T. Prowler, George W. G. 
Kinney. Aldermen, John Grosvenor, John Foy, Thomas Casey, Sam- 
uel Millington, Henry M. Lawton. Recorder, G. Harrison Lynch. 

' In the succeeding annual lists the supervisors and aldermen are tciven in the order of the 
numbers of the wards. 



134 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

1878. — Mayor, Edward L. Stevens. Supervisors, N. H. Leffingwell, 
Lawrence Gaheen, Wilson Smith, Homer T. Fowler, David G. Evans. 
Aldermen, Franklin B. Beers, Isaac Singleton, L. E. Seymour, William 
H. Davis, Jerome Graves. Recorder, James Parks. 

1879. — Mayor, George Barnard. Supervisors, James Hagerty, Law- 
rence Gaheen, James D. Corcoran, Frederick K. Jones, David G. 
Evans. Aldermen, Martin Thalman, Martin Hyde, William Shanley, 
F. E. Mitchell, Charles S. Smith. Recorder, James Parks. 

J 880. — Mayor George Barnard. Supervisors, James Hagerty, Law- 
rence Gaheen, James D. Corcoran, Frederick K. Jones, Owen E. 
Owens. Aldermen, John Grosvenor, Andrew Gossman, Griffith W. 
Jones, John S. Baker. Recorder, James Parks. 

1 88 1 — Mayor, Edward Comstock. Supervisors, James Hagerty, 
William Baynes, James D. Corcoran, Erastus Tiffany, Owen E. Owens. 
Aldermen, Edward Boylan, Frank H. Wetzel, L. E. Seymour, William 
H. Davies, John F. Williams. Recorder, James Parks. 

1882. — Mayor, Edward Comstock. Supervisors, James Hagerty, 
William Baynes, James D. Corcoran, Erastus Tiffany, Glen W. Petrie. 
Aldermen, Dennis F. Russell, Martin Hyde, Dennis Griffin, Edward 
Jones, Joseph I. Sayles. Recorder, Charles H. Dunning. 

1883. — Mayor. Frederick E. Mitchell. Supervisors, James Hagerty, 
William Baynes, Oscar D. Williams, George Hammann, Glen W. 
Petrie. Aldermen, Winfield S. Wylie, Jacob F. Nuffer, James H. Gro- 
gan, Addison G. Roof, R. C. Briggs. Recorder, Charles H. Dunning. 

1884. — Mayor, P^rederick E. Mitchell. Supervisors, James Hagerty, 
Jacob Durr, Oscar D. Williams, George Hammann, Glen W. Petrie. 
Aldermen, Lawrence Carey, Adam Derrick, James D. Corcoran, Peter 
Dick, John F. Williams. Recorder, Charles H. Dunning. 

1885. — Mayor, Edward Comstock. Supervisors, James Hagerty, 
Jacob Durr, William J. Cramond, George Hammann, Hedding A. Cas- 
well. Aldermen, Thomas Rowan, Martin Hyde, John Wolff", Edward 
Jones, Lyman A. Martin. Recorder, Charles H. Dunning. 



CITY INCORPORATION AND CIVIL LIST. 135 

1886. — Mayor, Edward Comstock. Supervisors, John T. Hagarty, 
Frederick Linn, VVillard G. Teelin, Erastus Tiffany, Bedding A. Cas- 
well. Aldermen, George P. Russ, Edward Campbell, James H. Gro- 
gan, George Hammann, John S Wardwell. Recorder, John D. Mc- 
Mahon. 

1887. — Mayor, James Stevens. Supervisors, John T. Hagerty, 
Frederick Dinn, William G. Teelin, Sylvester C. Baldwin, Bedding A. 
Caswell. Aldermen, Lawrence Carey, William E. Rothmund, Joseph 
L. Euper, Peter Dick, William B George. Recorder, John D. Mc- 
Mahon 

1888. — Mayor, James Stevens. Supervisors, David E. Pugh, Frede- 
rick Linn, William J. Casserly, Sylvester C. Baldwin, Bedding A. Cas- 
well. Aldermen, Thomas Rowan, Martin Byde, Dennis Griffin, Ed- 
ward Jones, Lyman Martin. Recorder, John D McMahon. 

1889. — Mayor, James Stevens. Supervisors, Jeremiah B. Carroll, 
Benry F. Isenecker, William J. Cramond, William C. White, Ezra 
Bilts. Aldermen, George P. Russ, Frank Broker, Patrick B. Grogan, 
George Bammann, William B. Maxham. Recorder, John D. Mc- 
Mahon. 

i8go. — Mayor, James Stevens. Supervisors, Jeremiah B. Carroll, 
Benry F. Isenecker, John B. Lackey, William C White, Ezra Bilts. 
Aldermen, John L. Dowd, William E. Rothmund, Joseph L Euper, 
James R. Thomas, Elon J. Lawton. Recorder, John D. McMahon. 

1891. — Mayor, E. Stuart Williams. Supervisors, Jeremiah B. Car- 
roll, Louis M. Mittenmaier, Joseph Kapfer, John D. Ernst, Ezra Bilts. 
Aldermen, James Kenefick, Sanford Rudcl, Martin Marriott, George 
Bauck, jr., Lyman A. Martin. Recorder, John D. McMahon (resigned 
and Joseph S. Baker appointed). 

1892. — Mayor, E. Stuart Williams. Supervisors, Jay Capron, Benry 
F. Isenecker, Patrick Carmody, John D. Ernst, Ezra Bilts. Aldermen, 
J. Millard Brainerd, John Pfeiffer, James B. Grogan, Benry S. Wether- 
bee, Bedding A. Caswell. Recorder, Boward C. Wiggins. 



136 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

1893. — Mayor, Samuel Gillett. Supervisors, Lars Englund, John 
Singleton, Anthony T. Hoffman, John D. Ernst, Abram Jones. Al- 
dermen, John F. Atkinson, William E. Rothmund, George J. Roth, 
Charles A Fowler, Elon J. Lawton. Recorder, Howard C. Wiggins. 

1894 — Mayor, Samuel Gillett. Supervisors, Jay Capron, John Sin- 
gleton, Anthony T. Hoffman, George G. Gifford, Abram Jones. Al- 
dermen, Edward H. Walworth, George McLaughlin, Alois Mertz, 
George Erhardt. Lyman A. Martin. Recorder, Charles Carmichael. 

1895. — Mayor, W. J. P. Kingsley. Supervisors, Jay Capron, John 
Singleton, A. T. Hoffman, Geo. C. Gifford, Abram Jones. Aldermen, 
A. F. Sayles, Joseph Reh, James H. Grogan, Henry S. Wetherbee, Os- 
wald P. Backus. Recorder, Charles Carmichael. 

1896. — Mayor, W. J. P. Kingsley. Supervisors, Lawrence Carey, 
John Singleton, Malthew Whalen, Eugene L. Hinckley, Hedding A. 
Caswell. Aldermen, James H McLean, F'rederick Lewis, Wm J. 
Cramond, Charles T. Hayden, Abram N. Honsinger. Recorder, 
Charles Carmicheal. 

Other officers for 1896 are as follows : Assessors, W. Dewey Reese, 
Richard H. Jones, William G. Jones; John E. Mason, clerk. Fire and 
Police, Thomas G. Nock, William L. Kingsley, Howard C. Wiggins, 
Theodore J. Mowry ; W. O. Jenks, clerk ; Michael Hagerty, chief of 
police ; Leonard Briggs, acting chief fire department. Water and Sew- 
erage, W. P. Kingsley, ex officio, chairman ; John S. Baker, Harvey S. 
Bedell, Albert R. Kessinger, Jonathan S. Haselton ; H. S. Wetherbee, 
clerk and superintendent. 



1 




THOS. G. NOCK. 



SCHOOLS. 137 



CHAPTER XIV. 

SCHOOLS OF ROME. 

The reader of the foregoing pages has learned substantially all that is 
known of the earliest schools in Rome village. These included the 
school and building on the southeast corner of the park, where the early 
courts were held. There was also the well known Grosvenor school, 
the Huntington school, the one taught in the "Long House" by Abby 
Bullock about i8i2, all of which have been described. The first schools 
in the town outside of the village were taught very early in the Wright 
Settlement neighborhood, where a log school house was built before 
1800; this was afterwards burned. About 1 816-7 another house was 
erected on the corner of "Penny street" and the road leading east past 
the Canterbury Hill school house ; there Miss Achsah Raynsford, after- 
wards tile wife of Josiah Hills, was the teacher at one time. 

There is no means of ascertaining the precise year that the old 
school house near Fort Stanwix was erected ; but it is fair to infer 
that the school law of 1795 stimulated the inhabitants of the locality to 
erect it, so as to get the benefit of the public money, and that such 
erection was in that year, or the next one at the latest. Not many 
years ago there was in the possession of one of Rome's old residents 
then living, a report made in 1797, of the teacher of the school of the 
" Fort District " (as Rome was then called), showing that from May 29 
to September 9 in that year, the whole number of days' attendance at 
school was 1,979, and that there were fifty four children in attendance. 
The following are the names of a few of the pupils: Jay Hathaway, 
Sally Hathaway, Abigal Barnard, Charity Barnard. Cicero Gould, 

Sheldon Logan, William, Joseph and Clarissa Fish, William, Hugh 

18 



138 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

and Betsy Colbrath, Anne Hayes and William White. Shadrach 
Hathaway was the name of the school master. The school house stood 
at the southeast corner of the old west park, as stated near the side- 
walk, and about where the foot path now turns in from James street. 
It was a story and a half building, some 30 by 40 feet, the roof 
having four sides and running up to a point in the center. The 
writing desks were against the wall, with two or three rows of seats, 
the back or outer seats being higher than those in front. There was 
a swing partition in the center of the building, making two apartments, 
by which two could be made into one by swinging and fastening up 
the lower half or part of the partition, as was doubtless done when 
courts were held there. 

Among those who were, pupils at that school house in early years 
were Hon. John B. Jervis, William E. Wright, J. Burr Brainard, Alva 
Mudge, N. Hyde Leffingwell. Hon. O. B. Matteson, late of Utica, 
was a pupil there many years ago. It was used as a public school 
house until 18 19, when a new one was erected on the site now occu- 
pied by Zion church ; that was burned and was succeeded by the Lib- 
erty street school, the common school law of the State having mean- 
while been materially changed and improved. 

That old building in the park which for a quarter of a century did 
good service as a school house, and was also used for a considerable of 
the time as a court room, a place for town meetings, and for religious 
worship, was moved about 18 19 on to the rear end of the lot occupied 
as a residence by Dr. R. E. Sutton, and there for a number of years 
was used by Russell Bartlett as a store room for lumber, his cabinet 
shop being near by. In 1820 Mr. Bartlett's shop was burned by an 
incendiary, but the old school house was saved, and was afterwards 
converted into a barn, and its history cannot be traced further. It was 
probably the first school house erected within the present limits of 
Oneida county. 



SCHOOLS. 139 

No detailed history of the schools of the whole town prior to the 
incorporation of the Rome Academy can be given, as no records are 
in existence. The town was divided into districts as circumstances 
demanded, and respectable frame school houses took the place of the 
first ones of logs. At the present time there are eighteen districts with 
a school house in each. 

The Rome Academy was incorporated April 28, 1835, ^^^ ^^^^ ^^- 
incorporated by the Board of Regents March 15, 1849. The three- 
story brick structure still in use was built by subscription in 1848. 
Further history of the schools of Rome is found in the following quota- 
tions from the report of the Board of Education for 1877 : 

No records of the schools previous to 1850 are found, and those of 
a later date are not of such a character as would enable one to prepare 
a full history of their progress without the aid of concurrent memory. 

In 1850 the Libety street building was erected under the supervision 
of R. G. Savery, E. Comstock, and E. Seymour as trustees. Little 
change has since been effected in its outward appearance. For many 
years each of the three floors was occupied by a department, the boys 
and girls being seated in different rooms. 

In the winter of 185 i and 1852, an attempt was made by the trustees 
so to classify the school as to seat both boys and girls in the same 
apartment. This action met with decided disapproval from a large 
number of the patrons. A special meeting of the district was held Feb- 
ruary 14, 1852, at which the following resolution was offered, viz. : 

Resolved, That the classification of this school by the late trustees, in placing the 
males and famales in the same department, was inexpedient for this school. 

Free discussion and criticism were indulged in, but the trustees hav- 
ing previously resigned, the resolution was finally withdrawn. Three 
new trustees were at once elected to the vacancies, who speedily restored 
the school to its previous condition, and for many years the distinction 
of sex was rigidly observed. 



140 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

In the following year an appropriation of $300 was made to improve 
the building in Canal Village, which was then in a dilapidated condition, 
and, with slight repairs, so continued until the present substantial struc- 
ture was erected, at the corner of James and Ridge streets, in 1868. 
This was the outgrowth of the pressing necessities of a rapidly increas- 
ing population in that part of the village, and of a public sentiment 
which had first found expression at an annual school meeting of the 
district in 1858, ten years previous. 

No marked change is again noticed until the winter of i860 and 1861. 
The sentiment in favor of free schools had then become so general, and 
their necessity so apparent, that a large number of citizens advocated 
the abolition of the rate bill system, and the immediate establishment 
of free schools, with an academic department for the entire village, to be 
generously supported by public tax. Prominent among those who were 
actively interested in this movement were Edward Huntington, A. San- 
ford, H. O. Southworth, B. J. Beach, A. J. Bailey, D. E. Wager, K. 
Carroll, and Samuel Wardwell. 

At the annual school meeting of the district, in 1861, a system of free 
schools was warmly advocated by parties above named, and many 
others. A committee was appointed to perfect a plan for the proposed 
change, to be presented for approval, at an adjourned meeting. Meet- 
ings were adjourned from time to time until December 18, 1861, when 
a series of resolutions was offered, and the draft of the proposed act of 
the Legislature presented, by Mr. Southworth, looking to the immediate 
establishment of free schools. The opposition was strong in the belief 
that school expenditures would be largely increased under the provisions 
of the proposed law, and, after much filibustering, finally succeeeded 
in adjourning the meeting for one month. No further record was made 
showing any action whatever in the same direction, the adjourned 
meeting having been seemingly abandoned. In fact, no record exists 
from October 15, 1867, until the 24th day of June, 1869. Then a 



SCHOOLS. 141 

demand for a change in the system of pubhc schools in the village found 
expression in a " Citizens' Call " for a public meeting at the court 
house, to consider the " expediency of establishing a union free school, 
with an academical department, within the limits of District No. 5, of 
the town of Rome." This was signed by forty four of the leading cit- 
izens and the trustees. " A large and enthusiastic meeting convened 
at the time appointed and free expressions of opinion were solicited. 
To further the interests of the proposed change, and secure a larger at- 
tendance of the friends of the measure, the meeting was adjourned, on 
motion of E. L. Stevens, to meet at the court house, July 3, 1869, at 
seven and a half o'clock P. M. The friends of free schools rallied in 
such numbers at the adjourned meeting that, immediately upon the 
reading and correction of the minutes of the previous meeting, the fol- 
lowing resolution, offered by Mr. K. Carroll, was adopted by the de- 
cisive vote of 310 to 49, viz. : 

" Resolved, That a union free school be established within the bounds of School 
District No. 5, in the town of Rome, pursuant to the provisions of chapter 555 of the 
laws of 1864, and the amendments thereto." 

The following gentlemen were then elected trustees, to act as a board 
of education for the district, viz.: Stephen Van Dresar, John Reifert, 
Zaccheus Hill, Edward Huntington, R. E. Sutton, and H. O. South- 
worth. The following resolution was then odopted : 

Resoli'cd, That the Board of Education of this union free school district be and 
they are hereby authorized to adopt the academy, located in said district, as the 
academical department of said district, with the consent of the trustees of said acad- 
emy, pursuant to section 24 of title 9, chapter 555 of the laws of 1864. 

On the i6th day of July, 1869, the following resolution was passed 

by the Board of Trustees of Rome Academy, viz.: 

Resolved, That we consent that the Board of Education of Union Free School 
District No. 5, in the town of Rome, may adopt the academy as the academical de- 
partment of said school district. 

In conformity to this resolution, and on the same day, the academy 



142 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

property, consisting of a building and lot on James street, philosophical 
and chemical apparatus, cabinet and library, was transferred to the 
Board of Education by a quit-claim deed executed by the following 
gentlemen, acting as a board of trustees, viz.: Samuel Wardwell, J. M. 
Sturdevant, H. O. Southworth, A. H. Brainerd, Henry M. Lawton, S. 
B. Roberts, C. W. Elmer, H. D. Spencer, R. E. Sutton, R. T. Walker, 
and George Merrill. 

The academy lot was originally the gift of Dominick Lynch in the 
interest of education, to be forever occupied by a building devoted to 
that purpose. 

July 17, 1869, the Board of Education, having been duly organized, 
July 9, 1869, by the election of S. Van Dresar, president, and R. E. 
Sutton, clerk, adopted the following resolution, viz.: 

Resolved, That the Rome Academy be and the .same is hereby adopted as the 
academic department of this Union Free School District, a union school having been 
duly established under the provisions of title 9 of chapter 555, of the laws of 1864. 

Thus virtually ended the struggle in behalf of free schools. The old 
rate- bill was abolished, and the schools were opened in the f^ll of 1869 
upon the broad and catholic basis of free education to all. 

The academy opened with an enrollment of 97 pupils in 1869, which 
has rapidly increased to more than 200 in 1877, with advantages for a 
still larger number. From this point there has been steady and rapid 
growth in the various directions which indicate prosperity. 

In 1870 the Liberty Street school building was thoroughly repaired, 
and in September of that year the first and second floors were occupied 
for school purposes, the third floor having been abandoned as danger- 
ous in case of fire or accident. In January, 1 87 1, the Thomas street 
building was first occupied, having been erected and furnished during 
the previous year. In 1872, to secure increased facilities, at moderate 
expense, the academy was thoroughly repaired, and the seating capac- 
ity increased to accommodate 200 pupils. In the fall of the same year 
the schools w.ere reorganized. The advanced pupils of the Liberty 



SCHOOLS. 143 

street school were transferred to the academy, and relief was thus 
afforded to the crowded condition of the lower departments. In 1874 
the Vogt property, on the east side of Soutii James street, was pur- 
chased, and the inside of the building remodeled, and put in thorough 
repair for school purposes. In September, 1874, the building was first 
occupied by two teachers and 122 pupils. In January, 1875, the new 
building on Third street, in East Rome, was opened, and the old one 
on Dominick street passed into the hands of the common council for 
fire department purposes. In 1876 the West Rome building was re- 
paired and improved, and new seats were added for the accommodation 
of eighty pupils. 

Continuing this complete account of the city schools down to that 
year, it must be stated that in 1878 a new brick school building was 
erected on the corner of Thomas and Jay streets at a cost of about 
$8,000. It was fitted for two departments, primary and intermediate. 
In the summer of 1895 a brick addition was built on the Jay street 
school costing about $5,500. In 1891 the Liberty street school was 
enlarged by opening and fitting the top floor of the building for 7th 
and 8th grade scholars. A fireproof tower was erected from which to 
reach this floor. In 1890 a dwelling was purchased on South James 
street in which a second school on that street was opened. 

The departments now comprise the primary of three years ; the in- 
termediate of two years; grammar of two years; preparatory of one 
year, and academic, four years. To these has been added a special 
course for students who intend to teach. 

The report of October 1895, shows the following census of school 
children : First ward, 627 ; Second ward, 469 ; Third ward, 654 ; 
Fourth ward, 554; Fifth ward, 646 Total, 2,950. 

The present superintendent is W. D. Manro, who assumed the ofifice 
August I, 1893. He is a native of Auburn, N, Y., and was born June 
27, 1864; was educated in the Auburn High School, Phillips Acad- 



144 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

emy at Andover, Mass., and Yale University, where he graduated in 
1888. 

The present value of the school property is $105,000. There are 
enrolled in the city 2,916 persons between the ages of five and twenty- 
one years. The whole number of those who attended school in 1895 
was 1,926; of these 192 were in the academy and 398 in private 
schools The Board of Education for 1895-96 consists of Dr. T. M. 
Flandrau, Edward Comstock, William R. Huntington, Albert H. Gol- 
ley, Jerome Graves, and William H Van Wagenen. Dr. Flandrau is 
president of the board and William R. Huntington, clerk. The follow- 
ing is a complete list of the teachers for the year beginning September 
3. 1895: 

Academy. — Wayland E. Stearns, principal ; Marie E. George, Sara 
Abell Beers, M. Delle Turtelot, Marion J. Clarke, Helen Elizabeth 
Thahiian, Christine D. Ross. 

Liberty Street School. — R. H. Barringer, principal ; Edith M. Wolfe, 
Anna Catlin, Adella S. Clark, Elizabeth C. McGuinness, Harriet L, 
Clark, Mary E. Dean, Annie R. Bielby, Ella Van Dresar, Avis Le Roi. 

Thomas Street School. — Anna E. Cross, principal ; Cora M. Wright, 
Ella R. Hook, Anna M. Freer, Nora M. Doyle, Hattie L. Rowley. 

James Street School. — Mary L. Buck, principal ; Hattie May Fox, 
Susie C. Aldridge, Georgianna Wheeler, Emily J. Kimball. 

South James Street School. — Frances G. Henderson, principal; Mary 
E. Dietrich. 

Jay Street School. — Sarah E, Parry, principal ; Clara M. Ninde, 
Lena May Putnam, Elizabeth Westcott Clarke, Minnie L. France, Mary 
Cummings. 

East Rome School. — William Thorn Kennedy, principal ; Minnie F. 
Wood. 

West Rome. School. — Jennie E. McAdam. 

Supervisor of Vocal Music. — Marion E. Davison. 




C. D. PRHSCOTT. 



SCHOOLS. 



145 



Supervisor of Penmanship and Drawing. — Emma Sabine. 

Elocution Teacher. — Lillian M. Gilligan. 

Eollovving is a list of the members of the Board of Education of 
Rome, as elected each year since the incorporation of the city : 

1869. — H. O. South worth, Edward Huntington, one year; R. E. 
Sutton, John Reififert, two years; S. Van Dresar, Z. Hill, three years. 

1870. — Edward Huntington, Henry Patrick. 

1871. — H. Patrick, (Calvert Comstock, to fill vacancy), John Reififert. 

1872. — S. Van Dresar, Z. Hill. 

1873. — Calvert Comstock, B. Whitman Williams. 

1874. — John Reiffert, James Aiken. 

1875. — Jerome Graves, G. Harrison Lynch. 

1876. — B. Whitman Williams, Edward L. Stevens. 

1877. — James Aiken, John Reiffert. 

1878. — Harvey L. Bedell, Harrison Jacobs. 

1879. — A. C. Kessinger, H. M. Lawton. 

1880.— John S. Baker, Griffith W. Jones. 

1 88 1. — Calvin West, Cyrus D. Prescott. 

1882. — James C. Smith, Henry G. Wright. 

1883. — Jerome Graves, E. Stuart Williams. 

1884. — Richard E. Sutton, Thomas M. Flandrau. 

1885. — William R. Huntington, C. Sherman Smith. 

1886. — E. Stuart Williams, Jerome Graves. 

1887. — Richard E. Sutton, Thomas M, Flandrau. 

1888. — Charles S. Smith, William R. Huntington. 

1889. — Jerome Graves. E. Stuart Williams. 

1890 — Richard E. Sutton, Thomas M. Flandrau. 

1 89 1. — Cyrus D. Prescott, Harvey S. Bedell. 

1892. — Jerome Graves, William H. Van Wagenen. 

1893. — Thomas M. Flandrau, Albert H. GoUey. 

1894. — Edward Comstock^ William R. Huntington. 
1? 



146 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

1895. — Jerome Graves, William H. Van Wagenen. 

1896.— Full board, Thomas M. Flandrau, Albert H. Golley, Edward 
Comstock, William R. Huntington (secretary), Jerome Graves, W. H. 
Van Wagenen, W. D. Manro, superintendent. 



RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS. H7 



CHAPTER XV. 

RELIGIOUS organizations! 

TJic First Religions Society. — According to the first census in i8oo, 
the population in tiiat year of the whole town of Rome was 1,479. ^^ 
have no means of ascertaining tl^e number in the village, but presume 
the population was about 300. Prior to the year above named there 
was no church organization or religious society in Rome. On Thurs- 
day, September 25, 1800 (as the record shows) articles of association, 
or covenant of Christian fellowship and confession of faith, were signed 
by the following four persons : Joshua Hathaway, Ebenezer Wright 
and Grace his wife, and Daniel W. Knight. The document was prob- 
ably drawn up by Mr. Hathaway. This was the first germ or nucleus 
of the first religious society in Rome. On Sunday, September 23, 
1800, a religious meeting was held, and, as tradition says, in a ball 
room of a tavern which then stood on a corner of the highway in 
Wright Settlement leading to " Canterbury Hill," and near the later 
residence of Henry L. Kirkland. Rev. Simon Waterman of Plymouth, 
Conn., was present and officiated. At that meeting the above four 
persons again signified their consent to the covenant and confession of 
faith, above mentioned, and the following nine additional persons also 
signified their assent thereto: Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Brown, Mr. and 
Mrs Solomon Rich, Mrs. Hathaway, Mrs. Peter Colt, Mrs. Colbraith, 
Mrs. Gilbert, and Mrs. Hayes, making thirteen in all. The Rev. Simon 
Waterman, then present, as the records state, " declared the foregoing 
persons thus congregated, a church of Christ, and in a very solemn, 
serious and affecting manner administered the sacrament of the Lord's 
Supper." Mr. Hathaway was elected scribe. A continuous abstract 



148 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

of the records reads as follows: "January 24, 1802, Mrs. Edes was ad- 
mitted a member of this church, and was baptized. Attest J. Hatha- 
way, scribe. Mrs. Church was admitted, Mrs. Moore, Mr. Jervis and 
wife. J. Hathaway, scribe. June 3, 1804, were baptized by Mr. Ely, 
Daniel Whitman, son of Colonel W. D. Knight, and Betsey Jervis, 
daughter of Timothy Jervis. Mary Ann, daughter of J. Hathaway, 
baptized by Rev. Mr. Clarkson, June, 1805. Septembor t6, 1804, 
Anna and Henrietta Desire, children of Henry Huntington, presented 
by his wife. February 17, 1805, Hannah, wife of George Huntington, 
made a pubhc profession of her faith and received baptism. Likewise 
baptized Hannah, Thomas and Mary Mumford, children of the said 
Huntington. March 3, 1805, baptized Benjamin Huntington, and 
Matthew, children of Matthew Brown, presented by his wife, who at 
the same time made public profession of her faith." 

This rehgious society being the first organized in Rome called itself 
" The First Religious Society in the Town of Rome," and took that as 
its corporate name, and which is the corporate name now. 

The first election of trustees took place January 11, 1802, as fol- 
lows: Daniel W. Knight, one year; John White, one year; Benja- 
min Wright, two years ; Oliver Smith, two years ; Clark Putnam, three 
years. To become legally incorporated, the laws passed April 6, 
1784, and March 27, 1801, required certain formalities to be fol- 
lowed, which it does not appear this society complied with, so on 
June 23, 1806, another election of trustees took place and the follow- 
ing persons were elected: D. W. Knight, three years ; Samuel Dill, 
three years ; Gideon Butts, two years ; Jonathan Tallcott, one year ; 
John W. Bloomfield, one year. A certificate of such election was re- 
corded in the Oneida county clerk's office, June 30, 1806 (as it ap- 
peared by the records). This certificate states that after two weeks' 
previous notice of such meeting, the meeting was held June 23, 1806, 
" at the school house near the gaol, where public devine worship is 



RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS. 149 

statedly held," etc., and that " said society shall be called and known as 
the First Religious Society in the town of Rome." 

In 1813 another law was passed, providing for the incorporation of 
religious societies, and this society, for some reason or other, took steps 
to be again incorporated under the latter law, taking the same corporate 
name as before. Accordingly on the loth of August, 18 13, a meeting 
of the adult male members was held at the meeting house of the 
society, and elected for trustees W. M. Talcott, William Wright, Gideon 
Butts, Elijah Worthington and Chester Hayden. A certificate of incor- 
poration, witnessed by Wheeler Barnes and Cyrus Davenport, and 
acknowledged before Judge Charles Wyhe, was made out and recorded 
August 13, 1 813, and which fixed the legal status of that society. 

The first deacon elected was D. W. Knight, November 24, 1807. 
There was no regular pastor settled over this society during the first 
six years of its existence. There must have been, however, preaching 
quite frequently, for we have before us three original subscription lists, 
much worn and faded, yet the signatures are legible, under which 
funds were raised to pay the clergyman. The first subscription paper is 
without date, but states that ' the subscribers agree and promise to pay 
to the F'irst Religious Society in Rome, such sums as are set opposite 
our respective names, and for the use and to be applied for the ex- 
press purpose of supporting and maintaining a clergyman for said so- 
ciety for the year ensuing." This paper must have been drawn up 
and signed in 1801, or the very first of the year 1802, for upon the mar- 
gin opposite the name of one of the signers is written " January ir, 
1802, paid 64 (shillings), August 31, paid 68 shillings." etc. This 
subscription list amounts to $212, and is as follows : George Hunting- 
ton & Company, $22 ; Joshua Hathaway, ^10; John Barnard, $12; 
Thomas Gilbert, $4 ; M. & M. Brown, jr., $8 ; Benjamin Wright, $8 ; 
Clark Putnam, $5 ; Oliver Smith. $5 ; Thomas Selden, $2 ; James 
Bartlett, $5 ; William Johnson (written on margin," in judgment") $1 ; 



150 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Benjamin Raymond, $5 ; Gideon Selden (written on margin, " in judg- 
ment ") $4; Amos Jefferson, $5 ; Timothy Jervis, $8 ; Parker Halleck, 
$3 ; Daniel W. Knight, $3 ; Samuel Edes, $2 ; Charles Wyhe, $3 ; 
Philip Filer, $2 ; Thomas Brackney, $2 ; Michael Frost, $3 ; Thomas 
Walker, $3 ; James Barrow, $7. 50 ; Elijah Ranney, $2 ; Rufus Easton, $3 ; 
Stephen White, $5 ; John B. Pease, $2; James Simpson, $2.50; Oliver 
Greenwood, $3 ; Eliakim Hammond, $1 ; Abraham Hanford, $2 ; Moses 
Wright, $3 ; Ebenezer Baker, $1 ; Elijah Baker, $5 ; (on the margin 
opposite the above two names is written, " paid by employing Mr. Morey 
one day to preach"); John White, $2; Asa Bushnell, $1; Ezekiel 
Thayer, $i ; Ebenezer Wright. $4; Isaac Lathrop. $1 ; Allyn Wright, 
$2; Silas Perkins, $i ; Gurdon Smith, $3; Caleb Rennels (on margin 
"in judgment"), $1 ; Elijah Clark, $3 ; Stephen Welton, $3 ; Ebenezer 
Wright, jr., $4; Cornelius Van Wormer, $2 ; Israel Denio, $1 ; Solo- 
mon Rich, $3 ; Moses Fish, $2 ; John Wright. $1 ; Zaccheus Abel, $2 ; 
Phillip King, $3. Total $212. 

The next subscription paper bears date January 5, 1803. and is to 
pay for clergyman for the ensuing year and says : " The payments to 
be made in wheat, pork or money, and payable one-fourth part every 
three months after date." 

The next subscription bears date August 6, 1803, and expresses to 
be " for the purpose of employing a clergyman to preach in the said 
society agreeable to a vote of a meeting held August 5th." 

The names of the clergymen who ofificiated prior to 1806 were Revs. 
Simons, March, Knight and Taggert. 

In 1806 Rev. Moses Gillett, a graduate of Yale College, commenced 
his labors in this society, and on Wednesday, October 14, 1807. was in- 
stalled as pastor. The church was not then completed, and the work 
bench was used for pulpit, and temporary seats were brought in. The 
services were at eleven A M., and as the records show the following 
ministers ofificiated, viz.: Rev. Oliver Wetmore made the opening 



RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS. 151 

prayer. Rev. James Eels, of Westmoreland, preached the sermon 
from I Timothy, 4, 16. Rev. Eliphalet Steele made the ordaining 
prayer. Rev. James Southvvorth, of Bridgewater. gave the charge. 
Rev. Israel Brainard, of Verona, gave the right hand of fellowship, and 
Rev. James Carnahan, of Utica (afterward president of Princeton Col- 
lege in New Jersey), the concluding prayer. 

The society was then composed of the following members : Matthew 
Brown and Molly, his wife ; Ebenezer Wright and Grace, his wife ; 
Gideon Butts and Anna, his wife; Joshua Hathaway and Elizabeth, 
his wife ; Timothy Jervis and Phebe, his wife ; Hazel Strickland and 
Chloe, his wife ; Samuel Dealing and Betsej^, his wife ; Daniel W. 
Knight; Amos Jepherson and Sarah, his wife; Sara Colt, wife of Peter 
Colt ; wife of John W. Bloomfield ; Philomelia, wife of Benjamin 
Wright ; Zelpha, wife of Thomas Gilbert ; Elizabeth, wife of Stephen 
Hayes; Jane, wife of Thomas Selden ; Esther, widow of William Col- 
braith ; Polly, wife of Samuel Edes ; Sally, wife of Thomas Moore ; 
Solomon Rich and his wife; Emma Dilla, wife of Ephraim Church; 
Jonathan Covel ; thirty in all. 

When Mr. Gillett commenced his labors in 1806, the society had no 
church edifice. The meetings were held principally in the public school 
house, which then stood on the southeast corner of the West Park. 
Occasionally meetings of the society were held in the store of George 
Huntington & Co., and sometimes, as tradition says, they were held in 
the barn of Seth Ranney, and sometimes in the ball room of the 
building where Rev. Dr. Stryker resided, that being then a hotel. 

After Mr. Gillett commenced his labors here, the society felt as if 
an edifice was needed, and accordingly in December, 1806, a subscrip- 
tion paper, bearing date the 30th of that month, was started. That 
original document is in the hand writing of George Huntington and 
commences as follows: "Whereas, the inhabitants of the First Re- 
ligious Society in the town of Rome have agreed to build a church or 



152 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

meeting house, either on the lot situated on the westerly side and ad- 
joining the public square in the village of Rome, or on a lot situated 
on the easterly side and adjoining said square, and that the subscrib- 
ers, at a meeting duly warned, shall determine on which of said 
lots the meeting house shall be erected ; the said meeting house to be 
of the dimensions of 42 feet by 55 feet, to be constructed and fin- 
ished according to a draft or plan drawn by Benjamin Wright, esq., the 
building committee that shall be appointed, to have the power to alter 
the plan of said meeting house as to dispense with the inside pillars. 
They may also vary the plan of finishing as they may judge expedient 
to save expense, or to render the building more useful or convenient 
to the society." 

Then follows an agreement to pay the sums subscribed, one-fourth 
on the first day of June, September, December, 1807, and February, 
1808, for the purpose of purchasing of Dominick Lynch the lot to be 
designated, and for erecting and finishing said building. The commit- 
tee not to proceed until the sum is subscribed which they think suffi- 
cient to finish it or until said trustees shall have a full and unincum- 
bered title to the lot. And to induce large subscriptions it is agreed 
that, " as soon as may be after the erection and completion of said 
meeting house, the trustees shall offer for sale to the highest bidder at 
public vendue, the right to the pews respectively, subject to such rents, 
restrictions, conditions and regulations as said trustees shall direct," etc 

The lot was purchased for $180, and the deed for the same is on 
parchment, "indented," and bears date August 24, 1807, and is from 
Dominick Lynch and Jane, his wife, to " The Trustees of the First Re- 
ligious Society of Rome." The lot is 198 feet on Court street and 200 
feet deep. 

There being a deficiency in the foregoing subscription, another paper 
was drawn up bearing date May 11, 1808, by which the required sum 
was raised. 




C. C. REID, M. D. 



RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS. 153 

After Mr. Gillett's resignation the pulpit was supplied by Revs. D. 
Gary, R. W. Dwight, and E. O. Dunning, each acting only a short 
period. March lO, 1841, Rev. Selden Haines was installed pastor. 

On the I2th of January, 183 I. a second church was organized and 
Rev. Jacob Heffen'itein was installed its pastor. He was succeeded by 
Rev. Avelyn Sedgwick, August, 1833; Rev. Theodore Spencer, May, 
1837; Rev. Herman Norton, September, 1838; Rev. Benjamin H. 
Campbell, March, 1840; Rev. Charles Jones, July, 1841 ; Rev. George 
S. Boardman, July, 1843, who continued until 1846. After this long 
period of usefulness, it was determined for financial reasons to unite 
these two churches. To facilitate this measure the pastors of the two, 
Revs. Haines and Boardman, resigned and the union was effected June 
12, 1847. The church building of the second society on Washington 
street was sold to the Welsh Methodists. The united church was sup- 
plied during the vacancy in the pastorate by Revs. George C. Lucas, 
George Bushnell, and W. F. Williams. August 2, 1848, Rev. William 
E. Knox was installed. The present house of worship was dedicated 
January 19, 1853. I^ev. Dr. Knox resigned his charge November 5, 
1869, after which the pulpit was supplied nine months by Rev. Howard 
Kingsbury. Rev. Peter Stryker, D. D., began his labors as pastor in 
October, 1870, and was installed November 16, following. He was 
succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. Dr. James H. Taylor. The 
membership of the church is nearly 500. 

The Baptist Cliurch. — Following is an extract from the records of 
this church : 

In the summer and autumn of the year of our Lord 1817, several of 

the members of the different Baptist churches, residing in Rome and its 

vicinity, became impressed with the idea that it would promote the 

declarative glory of God, the honor of the Redeemer's kingdom, and 

their own happiness, if God, in His providence, should so order as 

to have a church formed amongst them. 
20 



154 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

A conference was accordingly held at Wright Settlement on Octo- 
ber 23, 1 817, and the result was, as stated, " that there appeared to be 
ground to build upon, and material with which to build, without inter- 
fering with any other church or society." Other meetings and coun- 
cils were held and on December 10, 18 17, it was voted, " to give the 
brothers and sisters fellowship as a sister church, in token of which 
Elder Elon Galusha, in behalf of the council, gave the right hand of 
fellowship." 

The society thus formed consisted of seventeen members, over whom 
Elder Dyer Starks became the first pastor and continued several years. 
Following him were Elders Jacobs and Douglass, and David Morris, of 
whom the latter continued ten years. The pastors since have been 
John Gibbs, Emerson Andrews, H. C. Vogell, David Bellamy, J. W. 
Harris, and H. H. Peabody, who assumed the charge in 1870. For 
more than twenty-five years he has faithfully and successfully ministered 
to his flock. The corner stone of the first church edifice was laid Sep- 
tember 13, 1826, and for more than forty years after its completion 
meetings were there held. The corner stone of the present handsome 
stone structure was laid September 13, 1872; it is built of Potsdam 
sandstone. 

Zion ChiircJi {^Episcopal). — A meeting was held at the court house in 
Rome August 15, 1825, at which Rev. Algernon S HoUister was chair- 
man, and Hiram Denio, secretary. There an act of incorporation was 
drawn and a society organized under the name of Zion Church, Rome. 
Jay Hathaway and Henry Hayden were chosen wardens, and Numa 
Leonard, Hiram Denio, Horatio N. Carr, James B. Read, James A. 
Canfield, Richard Butler, and Peter White, vestrymen. Rev. Mr, Hol- 
lister took pastoral charge of the society and preached in the court 
house during the ensuing year. The original communicants were Mr. 
Butler, Mr. Canfield and Miss A. L. Hathaway. The lower story of 
the Masonic Hall, corner of Washington and Liberty streets, was soon 



RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS. 155 

engaged for the use of the church for eight years. At the opening of 
this cliapel on a Sunday early in 1826, Rev. Marcus A. Perry preached, 
and the next day Rt. Rev. John Henry Hobart, bishop of the diocese, 
which then inchided the whole of this State, preached in the chapel, 
confirmed fourteen persons, and baptized two children, Mr. Perry 
assumed charge of the congregation August i, 1826, and preached one 
year alternately with Holland Patent. Zion church Sunday school was 
organized June 3, 1827, with Rev. M. A. Perry in charge. Thirty five 
scholars were in attendance, and the teachers were Jay Hathaway, M. 
Rowley, and L. Hathaway for boys, and A. L. Hathaway, R. Judd, A. 
Gates, and M. Healy for girls. 

It seems that although Rev. Mr. Perry was at first engaged for only 
one year, his services were continued here until some time in 1832, 
when he resigned, and was succeeded b)' Rev. George Fiske. In 1833 
the Rome Lodge, the lower story of which had been in use as a chapel, 
was purchased, the building enlarged and fitted up for a church, and 
opened for divine services on Sunday, July 25, 1833, with a sermon by 
Rev. Parker Adams, of New Hartford. The church was consecrated, 
the 15th of the following August, by Bishop Benjamin T. Onderdonk, 
successor to Bishop Hobart. The rectors at this time preached under 
a missionary stipend, and in September, 1834, Rev. William W. Niles 
was accepted by the society to share the stipend with Mr. Fisk, and 
alternate with him in holding services at Rome and Oriskany. Mr. 
Fiske resigned in the following December, and Mr. Niles assumed sole 
charge. The rectors since have been the Rev. Nathan B. Burgess, from 
November, 1836, to November, 1839; Rev. Hobart Williams, deacon; 
Rev. Henry Lockwood, from November, 1 840, to May 10, 1842; Rev. 
Stephen Battin, June, 1842, and ordained priest December 19, 1843; 
Rev. Seth Davis, April i, 1845, resigned October 4, 1845, to establish 
a school at Buffalo; succeeded by Rev. Almon Gregory, who remained 
till November, 1849; Rev. Henry B. Whipple, December 2, 1849, to 



i5G OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

1857 ; ^^s w^s a portion of the time in Florida, on account of ill health, 
and during his absence his place was supplied by Rev. Gordon M. 
Bradley. Mr. Whipple resigned March 10, 1857, to accept a call from 
Chicago. He was succeeded by Rev. N. Barrows, who resigned March 
5, 1864. The next pastor was Rev. Hugh L. M. Clarke, who assumed 
charge May i, 1864, and continued until the pastorate was assumed 
by Rev. John H. Egar, D. D., on February i, 1881. 

During the rectorship of Mr. Whipple the lot on the corner of Liberty 
and Washington streets was purchased, and the corner-stone of the 
present stone church laid September 5, 1850. The new edifice was 
opened for service on Sunday, August 16, 185 1, and consecrated by 
Bishop De Lancey, September 25, of the same year. During the sum- 
mer of 1867 the church was enlarged to its present dimensions, at a 
cost of nearly $10,000. 

In 1885 a beautiful memorial hall was erected of stone at a cost in- 
cluding site of $11,000 in memory of Rev. Mr. Clarke. A beautiful 
memorial pulpit was built in 1892, in memory of the late John Stryker 
and his wife, Elizabeth. A new organ was placed in the church in 
1893. The membership of the church is now about 400. 

St. Peter's (Catholic) Church. — This church was organized through 
the influence of Rev. Father William Beecham, who came to Utica in 
December, 1836, as assistant to Father Walter J. Quarter. In about 
nine months afterwards he was sent to administer to the spiritual wants 
of the Catholics living in the northern and southern portions of Oneida 
county and surrounding territory. He selected Rome as being easy of 
access from the different points of his large mission. As one result of 
his labors he began the erection of the old St. Peter's church in 1838. 
When he took charge of this mission there were not ten Catholic 
families in what is now the city of Rome. The church edifice was 
completed in 1840. Father Beecham's pastorate extended over a 
period of forty years and until his death, March 10, 1876. He was 



RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS. 157 

succeeded by Rev. Father A. Murphy, the present pastor, in April, 
1876. For twenty years past he has faithfully ministered to the church 
and his labors have been crowned with success. Three years ago, in 
1893, the building of the new and magnificent stone edifice on James 
street was begun. It is nearly completed and will cost about $150,- 
000. In connection with this church the Sisters of the Holy Name of 
Jesus teach a select school, and St. Peter's school for boys is also con- 
nected with this society, the old church being used for the purpose. 

St Marys Catholic Chitrch. — The first missionary priests of the 
German Catholics visited this section in 1845. During the year 1847 
the first steps were taken towards providing a house of worship and 
in 1848 the humble wooden structure on the corner of James and 
Depeyster streets was ready for service. The first resident pastor was 
Rev. Florian Schwenniiiger. In 1871 the premises occupied by the 
present church on the north side of Liberty street were secured and the 
corner stone was laid on the 18th of May, 1 87 1. The edifice cost over 
$20,000. In the following year a peel of three bells was blessed for 
the church. The pastor is Rev. Michael Rieger, who succeeded Rev. 
P. J. Smith in 1896. Mr. Smith had been with the church about 
twenty years. There are about 130 families in the congregation and a 
school is maintained by the Sisters of Mercy. 

The First Methodist Church. — The First Methodist society or class 
in the town of Rome was formed in 1799 on the Turin road about 
three miles north of Rome village. To Jonathan Newman belongs the 
honor of being the first Methodist preacher to labor in Rome; 
he probably preached here as early as 1791. Rome was undoubtedly a 
part of the Mohawk Circuit until that disappeared, when it became 
part of the Western Circuit. Among the names of preachers who trav- 
eled and preached occasionally in this and adjoining towns are 
found those of Bishop Whatcoat, Lorenzo Dow, Charles Giles, Eben- 
ezer White, Bishop Asbury, Peter Vanness Benjamin G. Paddock. In 



158 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

the year 1812 Rome, Western, Floyd, Lee and Steuben were made 
into a two weeks circuit and Charles Giles was the preacher. In 
1 8 14 Mr. Giles was made presiding elder of the Oneida district, em • 
bracing the counties of Oneida, Otsego, Herkimer, Oswego, Jefiferson 
and St. Lawrence. From 18 14 onward twelve or fourteen years the 
following preachers labored in this and adjoining towns : Joseph Wil- 
lis, George Harmon, B. G. Paddock. William Chase, Zachariah Pad- 
dock, Ephraiin Hall, Asa Cummins, John Arnold and John E. Ken- 
brack. The first Methodist house of worship has been described as " a 
little building " on the Turin road ; it may have been a barn or de- 
serted dwelling. In 1803 the society moved to the Ridge and all the 
Methodists joined there in worship. In the village of Rome a class was 
formed some time before 1820, its headquarters in a school room 
upstairs two doors from the American block. In 1828 Lyman Beach 
was appointed to the circuit which included Rome, and in 1829 Rome 
was made a station with Mr. Beach in charge. In the meam time in 
1824 a church edifice had been begun, located near the court house; 
this edifice was dedicated on New Year's day, 1829, its completion 
having been effected only after great effort. There the society wor- 
shiped forty years, though it was enlarged in 1850. When in the 
course of time and following upon some remarkable revivals, the old 
church became inadequate, the present brick edifice was planned, 
erected and dedicated September 24, 1869. It cost about $45,000 and 
more than $17,000 were subscribed on the day of its dedication. Since 
the pastorate of Rev. Lyman Beach before mentioned, the following 
pastors have served this church successively : Andrew Peck, Charles 
Giles, Isaac Stone, Calvin Danforth, Albert D. Peck, Nathaniel Salis- 
bury, V. M. Coryette, E. W. R. Allen, Aaron Adams, Isaac L. Hunt, 
W. W. Ninde, John Alley, Hiram Matteson, George Lawyer, F. H. 
Stanton, James Irwin, L. D. Stebbins, Burenus Holmes, J. P. Jennings, 
T. Spicer, I. S. Bingham, B. S. Wright, W. X. Ninde, J. B. Foote, Wes- 



RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS. 159 

ley Mason, S. R. Fuller, C. P. Hard, M. D Kinney, William Searles, 
F. H. Hemmenway, F. Widmer, William H. Reese, Geo. M. Mead, 
C. W Parsons, Thonios B. Shepard, M. R. Webster, and David S. 
Pierce, who came in 1892. 

Upon the formal organization of this society, which took place Janu- 
ary 15, 1821, the following were elected trustees : Oliver Greenwooii, 
Preston H. Grover, Joshua Hathaway, Stephen White, George Wals- 
worth, Jeremiah Steves, and William Penfield. The second election of 
trustees did not take place until 1824. The building committee in 
charge of the erection of the present edifice were N. B. Foot, chairman ; 
A. Sandford, secretary; A. H. Brainerd, superintendent; L. E. Elmer, 
treasurer; Rev. M. D. Kinney, J. D. Ely, W. Dennison, W. A. Cas- 
well, R. M. Bingham, A. Spencer and C. W. Elmer. 

Liberty Street Methodist Chinrh (formerly Court Street Church). — 
A mission of the Methodist church was organized in 1863, which was 
formed into a society in the following year. The first pastor was Rev. 
P. H Wilds. He was succeeded down to 1878 by Rev. F. H. Beck. 
R. Redhead, William Jerome, Daniel O. Edgerton, J. Zimmerman, Rob- 
ert Flint, Joseph H. Lamb. F'or reasons that cannot be detailed here, 
this society in 1879, made a change of its church property on Court 
street, which had been built in 1870, with the society of the Welsh Con- 
gregationalist society, whose church was situated on Liberty street, be- 
tween George and Madison. 

Free MetJiodist CJmrch. — This church was organized about 1870, 
and occupies a building which was erected by the Embargo Street M. 
E. society, organized in 1855 and disbanded. The society also owns a 
parsonage. The present pastor is O. N. Frink. 

The Wesley an Methodist Church of Rome was organized about ten 
years ago and built a frame church three years later. The society has 
prospered since. There is also the Grace Union A. M. E. Church for 
colored persons which maintains regular services. 



160 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

The Welsh Calvanistic Methodist Churcli was organized in 1847 ^'^^ 
formerly occupied a frame building used still earlier by the Second 
Congregational society. A few years since a new brick edifice was 
erected on North Washington street. Rev. R. Williams is pastor 

St. Joseph's German Protestatit Episcopal Church.— Yx'xox to 1848 
the twenty or more German Catholic families living in Canal Village 
met once in two weeks in a room in the old Mansion House for worship 
in their faith. Some time in 1 840 these families efifected an organiza- 
tion under the name, "St. Mary's Church," purchased a lot on the 
corner of South James and De Peyster streets and built a church costing 
$900 Owing to internal differences over a site for a new church in 
1870-71, a large part of the congregation formed a new society called 
St. Joseph's Church, consisting of about 130 families. The site for the 
church on Ridge street was purchased April 22, 1871, for $7,500, and 
the corner stone of the new edifice was laid July 27, 1871, by the pas- 
tor, Rev. Bernhardt Werner. On St John's day, December 27, 1876, 
the congregation transferred their allegiance from the Roman Catholic 
to tiie Anglican, or the Protestant Episcopal Church. Services are 
held in both German and English, and the congregation is prospering 
under the ministrations of Rev. A. L. Byron- Curtiss, who began his 
labor here in 1895. 

Trinity Church, {^German Lutheran). — This society was organized in 
1848. The church edifice was erected in 1853, in which year the so- 
ciety was incorporated. The first pastor was Rev. Mr. Wetzel. The 
pastors since 1878 have been Rev. H. Veith, Rev. A. Thiele, 1879; 
Rev. J. Schaefer, 1880-84; Rev. P. A. Moelling, 1884-87 ; Rev. O. T. 
Ebert, 1887-90; Rev. J. C. Nestel, 1890-93 ; G. Meisenhelder, pres- 
ent incumbent. There are about eighty- five voting members. In the 
spring- of 1893 the church was rebuilt at a cost of about $3,400. In 
1 89 1 the congregation became a member of the German Evangelical 
Synod of North America. 




JOSEPH 1. SAYLES. 



RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS. 161 

SL Jo Juts Evangelical Lutheran Church. — This society was organ- 
ized in 1869, and soon afterward the present frame church was erected 
on North Madison street. Rev. Charles A. Wiegel has been pastor of 
the church for the past twenty years. 

Welsh Congregational Church. — This church has been alluded to in 
the description of the Court Street M. E. church The members met 
originally with the Welsh Methodists, but an organization was effected 
in this faith and in 1879 the exchange for the Court street church prop- 
erty was consummated. Services are held in both the Welsh and Eng- 
lish languages. Rev. D. E. Pritchard was pastor many years and was 
succeeded by Rev. M. M. Hughes, the present incumbent. 

A Seventh Day Advent society was organized in 1876, and the 
church was built in the next year. The membership is about eighty 
and Elder A. E. Place is pastor. 

The First Universalist CJiurch. — This society was organized about 
1837 ^"^^ \\q\A its meetings a number of years in the court house. 
The Masonic Hall building, which was refitted for an Episcopal church, 
was purchased by the Universalists in 185 i. At about that time the 
first settled pastor, Rev. Richard PIddy, was installed over the congre- 
gation. Among the early members of the congregation were E. B. 
Armstrong, Samuel B. Stevens, Mr. Yale, B. B. Hyde, Shubael Smith 
and wife, Charles Leffingwell, Woodman Kimball and family, John P. 
Allen, and others. During a part of the later years the society has 
not had regular preaching, and at the present time the pulpit is oc- 
cupied by Rev. Lorenzo D. Case, a student who will become the 
settled pastor at the close of his studies. 

Young Men s Christian Association. — This association was founded 

and incorporated in June, 1872, Edward Huntington being chosen 

president of the provisional organization. After some delay rooms 

were opened on the corner of Washington and Dominick streets, and in 

July, 1872, H. 3. Ninde was chosen secretary. From that year until 
21 



162 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

1892, a period of twenty years, he gave his best efforts to the prosper- 
ity of the association, and was successful in the work At first two 
rooms were sufficient for the association, but later a gymnasium was 
added and two or three rooms on the third floor for class rooms. 
Seven years later when more commodious apartments were necessary 
they were found in the Arlington block, on the third floor, and included 
a hall seating 200. These rooms were used three years, when the pres- 
ent building on James street was purchased for $10,500, and about 
$4,000 in finishing the building, and adding the fourth story. The as- 
sociation is now enjoying an excellent degree of prosperity. When 
Mr, Ninde retired as secretary he was succeeded by S. B. Kingsley, 
and the latter by O. S. Twist, both of whom served only short terms. 
On March i, 1893, H. E. Huie succeeded to the office, with John H. 
Irons, assistant. 



PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 163 



CHAPTER XVI. 
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 

Rome Water Works. — After long discussion and a sharp contest a 
special election was held in Rome in the summer of 1871 to decide the 
question for or against the building of a system of water works. The 
vote was in favor of the project by a considerable majority. The plans 
decided upon were to take the water from the Mohawk River at the 
Ridge, about two miles from the center of the city, properly filter it 
and pump it into a reservoir. The machinery adopted was built by 
the Watertown Steam Engine Company and comprised two double 
action horizontal pumps with a capacity of eighty- four gallons per 
revolution. They were propelled by two six feet wheels of ninety 
horse power made by S. Adams & Son, of Rome. These wheels were 
used for about five years, when they were displaced by the present 
Helmer wheels. The first pumps continued in use thirteen years and 
were displaced by the present ones. No change in the capacity of 
either wheels or pumps was made. William N. Mott is the engineer 
in charge of the works, and has occupied the position from the first. 

The water at the dam is forty feet higher than the surface of the 
ground at the corner of James and Dominick streets and it was cal- 
culated that the pressure at the city would be sixty pounds to the 
square inch. The water is elevated sixty-five feet into a circular reser- 
voir twenty- one feet in depth and 297 in diameter with a capacity of 
9,000,000 gallons. The original cost of these works for which bonds 
were issued was $160,000; this amount was afterwards increased to 
$172,000. The water was originally carried through cement pipe, but 
more than one-half of this has been taken out and iron pipes laid in 



164 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

its place. A fourteen inch main was laid through George street and 
about three years ago a twenty-inch iron main was laid in James street. 
At the present time about 2,000 consumers use the water and the 
system as a whole is very effective. The superintendents of the water 
works have been Cyrus Hayden, C. T. Hayden, Theodore S. Comstock^ 
and the present superintendent, H. S. Wetherbee. The water works 
are in charge of what is now the Water and Sewerage Commission, 
which at the present time consists of W. J. P. Kingsley, ex officio, 
chairman, John S. Baker, Harvey S. Bedell, Albert R. Kessinger, and 
Jonathan S. Haselton. 

H. S. Wetherbee, present superintendent of the water works, is a 
native of Oneida county, and was formerly in the grocery business in 
Rome, serving afterwards in the army in the 15th Engineers. After 
spending five years in Wisconsin he returned to this county and was in 
active business until 1892, when he sold out. He was elected to the 
Common Council in 1891 and was appointed to his present position in 

April, 1895. 

Fire Department. — Rome is in the fortunate possession of ample fa- 
cilities for extinguishing fires and an excellent system of water works. 
It is not now known just how early the first fire engine was purchased, 
but it was early in the century, for the second one was bought in 1825 
at a cost of about $900 inclusive of some apparatus ordered at the same 
time. On the 6th of June, 1825, the trustees appointed a fire company 
of twenty members. Fire company No 2 was formed in May, 1827, 
and consisted of fourteen members, to which twelve more were added 
in August. The Rome fire department was incorporated by the Leg- 
islature April 12, 1855. In 1866 a steam fire engine was purchased 
which with a large supply of hose and other apparatus cost over $8,000. 
In 1867 a second steamer was purchased. 

The first of these was transferred to the Rome Locomotive Works 
and in May, 1884, a new Silsby steamer was purchased at a cost of 



PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 165 

$3,400. In April, 1896, the other old engine was traded for a new 
Clapp & Jones steamer, and a difference paid of $650. The present 
acting chief of the fire department is Leonard Briggs ; assistant, A. F. 
Chase. The foreman of No. i engine is P.. H. Grogan ; of No. 2. Rob- 
ert Oldfield ; of Washington Hose Company, George Bowers; of the 
Hook and Ladder Company, Ceorge Clyde. Henry Powell is foreman 
of the engine house. The salary of the chief is $600; assistant, $100; 
foreman of the house and driver of the hose cart, $420; driver of the 
hook and ladder truck. $480 ; engine drivers, $420; engineers, $100. 

Police. — F*revious to the organization of the city there was no regular 
established police force in the place. Such ofificers as were from time 
to time selected to preserve the public peace were known as watch- 
men, and their duties were not very clearly defined and probably not 
very efficiently performed. Upon the organization of the city a police 
force of five members was established with David Healt as chief. He 
was succeeded in that of^ce by J. G. Orcutt, George Minzer, Thomas 
Wilds, John Farquharson, Thomas Burns, and the present incumbent, 
Michael Hagerty, who has held the office since June i, 1890. His 
assistant is Richard J. Smith, who succeeded William T. Binks in 1893. 
The remainder of the force consists of five roundsmen and two station 
keepers. The salary of the chief is $65 per month; assistant, $55; 
roundsmen, $50 ; driver, $40. 

City Hall. — For some years prior to 1895 the Common Council met 
in the rooms in the opera house, where were also the offices of the city 
chamberlain and the recorder. In 1894 steps were taken to remedy 
this unsatisfactory condition by the erection of a new city hall. The 
city was in possession of a considerable fund, arising from 218 shares in 
the Rome and Clinton Railroad, amounting to about $55,000. The 
sites of the old G. W. Pope dwelling and two other lots were pur- 
chased and plans were drawn for a building to cost, with the site, 
about $76,000. The issue of bonds was authorized for a sum which, 



166 



OUR CITY AND ITS PEOrLE. 



with the fund on hand would reach this amount. The corner stone 
of the new city hall was laid October 4, 1894 It is a handsome 
brick and stone building and is in every way admirably adapted to its 
purposes 

Sewer System. — The first sewer system in Rome is now in process of 
establishment under a law passed March 23. 1893. That law created a 
Board of Water and Sewer Commissioners of the City of Rome, con- 
sisting of four members, residents of the corporation tax district, and 
the mayor as an ex officio member. The law also authorized the issue 
of bonds to an amount not exceeding $240,000 The Stanwix Engi- 
neering Company of Rome was engaged to make a survey and map of 
a complete sewer system and the map has recently been completed. 
Contracts have been let for about $150,000 to George S. Miller, of Ot- 
tawa, 111. It is the purpose of the city authorities to proceed with the 
construction of the system as rapidly as consistent, with a view to its 
ultimate completion. 

Street Railways— T\\& Rome City Street Railroad company was 
organized in 1887 with a capital of $50,000. Rowland F. Hill was 
president; Charles W. Dayton, vice-president, and William Moores, 
secretary and treasurer. John S. Wardwell was chosen to the office 
of president in 1893. The road was opened in 1887 and comprises 
about six and three- fourths miles of track. It is still operated by horse 

power. 

Cemetery. — In the year 1823 Dominick Lynch deeded to the trustees 
of the village of Rome a cemetery tract bounded on the east by James 
street, north by Rloomfield, west by Washington street, and south by 
an alley. In the course of years this became unfitted for its original 
purpose, both from the number that had been buried therein and 
through its location. To remedy this condition, the Rome Cemetery 
Association was organized August 7, 1851. 

In the following year a site was selected comprising twenty-five 



PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 167 

acres of land, which was purchased from the farm of Thomas WilHams, 
at a cost of $2,313.50, and Howard Daniels of New York city was em- 
ployed to lay out the cemetery. On July 19, 1853, the grounds were 
dedicated with appropriate ceremony, since which time elaborate im 
provenients have been made. Tlie grounds with the addition made 
in recent years now comprise about forty acres. The officers of the 
association are W. R. Huntington, president; W. J. P. Kingsley, vice- 
president; H. H. Converse, secretary ; S. Wardwell, treasurer; L Cole, 
superintendent 

Rome Gas Light Company. — This company was organized in 1852 
with the following officers: Rowland S. Doty, president; Dwight E. 
Ray, secretary ; Derrick L. Boardman, treasurer, who were also direct- 
ors with Calvert Comstock, Gordon N. Bissell, E. B. Armstrong, Alva 
Mudge, David Utley, Robert B Doxtater, Edward Huntington, and 
John Stryker. The second president of the company was E. B. Arm- 
strong, who held the office until 1882, when he was succeeded by G. N. 
Bissell. Upon the death of Mr. Bissell Thomas H. Stryker was elected 
and is the incumbent. John G. Bissell is vice-president, and William 
R. Huntington, secretary and treasurer. In the year 1885 measures 
were adopted to introduce electricity by this company, and the city is 
now thus supplied. All street lamps are now electric, of which there 
are 158. John D. Higgins is superintendent for the company and has 
efficiently performed the duties of the position since 1867. 

Oneida Coimiy Home. — The final report of the building committee of 
this institution, which committee was appointed by the Board of Super- 
visors March 21, 1894, contains the following paragraphs, which consti- 
tute a sufficient history of that institution since the sale of the old 
county alms house property, now the Custodial Asylum, to the State. 
The first sale of a part of that property was made in 1893 for about 
$104,000; the second sale took place on May 8, 1894, for about 
$105,000. The history of the old county almshouse is given in volume 
one of this work. We quote from the report as follows : 



168 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

" Our first instructions from the Board were to secure an option on 
the property known as the Bell site and report at once. In compliance 
with said order the committee, after organizing, visited the site and 
secured contract of same, which was ratified by the Board on the fol- 
lowing day, March 22. 

" The purchase consists of 100 acres: ^^ acres of clear, and 25 acres 
of woodland. The site is centially located, being on the east bank of 
the Mohawk River, in the city of Rome ; easy of access from all parts 
of the county. On the west is a beautiful grove extending the entire 
length of the west line, which serves as a protection from the winter 
winds, also is a pleasant retreat for the inmates during the summer. 
The action of the Board in selecting this beautiful site for the Oneida 
County Home will never be regretted. State Commissioner Hon. W. 
Pryor Letchworth says that institutions of this nature should be situ- 
ated so as to be convenient to the public, in order that they may be 
more frequently visited by the benevolent and those especially inter- 
ested in the care of the unfortunate. Where such visitations are fre- 
quent a faithful and intelligent official comes sooner to be appreci- 
ated : a stronger public interest is maintained in the institution, its 
needs are better understood, and appropriations to meet them are more 
likely to be granted by -the Board. 

" Our first work at the site was to secure a map of the grounds, lo- 
cate the buildings, distance from the street, grove, and river, line of 
sewer, &c. After survey and map was completed, then came the 
selection of materials for the buildings, style and capacity, all of which 
you who where members of the Board at that time, are familiar. The 
question of water supply, which engaged the attention of the committee 

and in fact the whole Board — for a long time, was, as we believe, 

wisely adjusted by taking water from the city mains. (Also from an 
excellent well on the premises). An eight inch water main extends to 
the front of the Administration Building ; two four inch pipes lead from 




W. E. SCRIPTURE. 



PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 169 

this main to hydrants on the right and left; a six inch main extends 
to the rear of the buildings, where are attached two more hydrants. 
Thence the water is distributed through smaller pipes to the barn, 
slaughter house, and water trough. Connections are also made to this 
six inch pipe at the boiler house and scullery, for use in the buildings. 

" The main buildings are of brick, with trimmings of red sandstone 
and limestone. The central or Administration Building, located in 
front, is a three-story building, 47 by 58 feet. In the basement are 
located the kitchen, laundry, wash-room, and four store-rooms. On 
the first floor is the Superintendent's public and private offices, reception 
room, operating room, and sitting rooms. The second floor contains 
the Superintendent's dining room, parlor, library, and pantry, while in 
the third story are the sleeping rooms. 

"The Superintendent's office is connected by electric wires and tubes 
with important points throughout the buildings. The center or divid- 
ing line in the buildings is directly in the rear of the hall that leads 
from the Superintendent's office. It is only necessary to step into this 
hall to occupy a commanding position. There are several other points 
of observation in the buildings that cover the farm, as well as the in- 
terior. In the rear of the Administration Building, and connected with 
it by covered ways, is the main, or service building, 44 by 129, two 
stories in height, with a basement that contains the main kitchen, 
laundry, bakery, flour room, creamery, servant's dining room, wash-room, 
scullery, cooler, and pantries. On the first floor, the attendant's sleep- 
ing rooms, six old couples' rooms, bath and toilet rooms. Second floor 
— chapel, lying-in ward, nursery, and toilet rooms ; also large rooms in 
the attic for storing supplies. The boiler house (34 by 48) and engine 
room {16 by 30) are in the rear of this building. The intervening walls 
are built of heavy quarry stone and well cemented, as a protection 
against accident. The cooler, 18^4 by 16^. also .scullery, 2i>^ by 17, 

are easy of access from the main kitchen. On the east, forty feet dis- 
22 



170 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

tant from the main building, is located the woman's building, 40 by 108, 
and wing 40 by 56. The basement contains the inmates' dining-rooms, 
work room, store room, pantry, and toilet room. First floor — day 
rooms, convalescent room, matron's ofiice — separate rooms — bath and 
toilet room. Second floor are the dormitories or sleeping apartments 
for the inmates, hospital and nurses' rooms. In the rear, separate rooms 
for attendants, bath and toilet rooms. The men's building, 40 by 118, 
and a wing, 40 by 56, is located on the west side of the main building, 
40 feet distant. It is a counterpart of the woman's building and 
nearly one-third larger. In the second story of this building, in the 
dormitories, is built a gallery, which can be used for sleeping purposes 
if necessary. 

" The main buildings are connected by covered corridors, enclosed 
with glazed sash, which may be opened or removed during the summer 
months. The corridors may be made the most convenient places in 
the building for keepin'g potted plants, &c. They also afford the aged 
inmates a pleasant place for exercise during inclement weather. They 
are connected to the buildings so that they may be removed very 
readily in case of fire." 

The various structures are adequately heated by steam, thoroughly 
ventilated and well lighted. The cost of the site was about $10,000, 
and the total cost of buildings and site about $140,000. The average 
number of inmates is now about three hundred, among whom are a 
number of State boarders. Louis Mittenmaier, jr., has been superin- 
tendent of the institution since January, 1895; he is a Republican in 
politics, held the office of supervisor of the Second ward in 1890-91, 
and was a member of the Board of Health three years. 

Central Neiv York Institution for Deaf Mutes. — This institution 
was established March 22, 1875, and has since gained a very high and 
extended reputation. In 1877 a building was erected on Madison 
street for school purposes, while eight other structures were used for 



PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 171 

the several purposes of the institution. This unsatisfactory condition 
continued until 1877, when steps were taken to provide buildings 
especially adapted to the purposes of the institution. Through the 
benevolence of John B. Jervis, Benjamin Huntington and Edward 
Huntington a beautiful site was donated, whereon three commodious 
and handsome brick edifices were erected, at a cost of about $100,000. 
The first of these buildings was erected in 1878, the second in 1882, 
and the main one in 1889. The first two are dormitories, one for 
boys and one for girls, with the main structure between. On the first 
floor of the latter are found the principal's private and public offices, a 
large reception room and library, and six spacious school rooms. On 
the second floor is a large and airy chapel occupying the whole of the 
center of the building, and six roomy class rooms. The arrangement 
of all the buildings gives what is an essential for the proper manage- 
ment of such an institution, namely, complete isolation of the sexes 
after meals and the closing of school. The principal's residence stands 
at the entrance of the grounds, overlooking the other buildings. In 
the rear and on a line with this is the hospital, wholly isolated and ad- 
mirably adapted in every way to its purpose. Other buildings contain 
the shops, laundry, etc. 

"The annual examinations under the personal supervision of the 
principal, began on the 20th of May last, and continued till the loth 
of June, although quite severe in some cases, still the results were very 
satisfactory. The school is divided into four departments, viz.: (i) 
The academical, composed of two classes, where the pupils receive a 
good practical education ; (2) the preparatory, where the pupils are 
prepared to enter the academical; (3) the intermediate, from which 
the pupils go into the preparatory, and (4) the primary or kindergar- 
ten, where pupils are taught the first principles, and where the founda- 
tion is laid for their future progress, and also two special classes, 
namely, the high class, composed of pupils who have passed a satis- 



172 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

factory examination and been recommended by the board of trustees 
for an additional three years, in order to pursue a more advanced 
course of instruction, and the articulation department, where all pupils 
who are competent enough and will be benefited thereby are given a 
special training in articulation and lip reading," 

Prof. Edward Beverly Nelson is principal of this institution, as he 
has been from the first. He graduated from Harvard College in 1873, 
with the degree of B. A., and two years ago was given the degree of 
M. A. by that institution. He has proven himself fitted in an eminent 
degree for the difficult and responsible position in which he is placed, 
and his success has been commensurate with his unfailing efforts for 
the good of the unfortunates who have come under his care. 

The educational and domestic departments of the institution are in 
charge of the following persons : 

Principal, Edward Beverly Nelson, M. A. In charge of literary 
classes : Hi-h class and Academical grades, Fort Lewis Seliney, Jon- 
athan H. Eddy, Thomas H. Jewell. Primary and Intermediate grades, 
Mrs. Ella M. HoUiday, in charge of articulation ; Bessie Hall, Bertha 
Wilkes. Kindergarten, Sarah K Marshall, Miss Gertrude Mosser. 
Monitors, Hymen A. Evans, Roger McGrath. 

Board of Trustees. — President, Dr. W. J. P. Kingsley ; first vice- 
president, Edward Comstock ; second vice president, Rev. Dr. Thomas 
Gallaudet ; secretary and treasurer, John G. Bissell. First class — 
term expires February, 1896, Dr, W. J. P. Kingsley, Rev. Dr. Thomas 
Gallaudet, Thomas H. Stryker, H. M. Lawton. Second class — term 
expires February, 1897, A. C. Kessinger, D. P. McHarg, John G. 
Bissell, Edward Comstock, James H. Searles. Third class — term expires 
February, 1898, W. R. Huntington, E. L. Stevens, W. W. Wardwell, 
James Elwell. Executive committee, Dr. W. J. P. Kingsley, ex officio, 
John G. Bissell, D. P. McHarg, W. R. Huntington, Edward Comstock. 
Building committee, Edward Comstock, W. R. Huntington, James 
Elwell. 



NEWSPAPERS. 173 



CHAPTER XVII. 

THE NEWSPAPERS IN ROME. 

In the year 1799, a few weeks subsequent to the time when a village 
in Oneida county was named after the " Eternal City," Messrs. Thomas 
Walker and Ebenezer Eaton, two young men of ability, industry and en- 
terprise, came to this place and started a weekly newspaper, called the 
Columbian Gazette. They came from Worcester, Mass., brought the 
printing materials with them, and hired a man here to make a " ramage 
press," upon which the paper was printed. Mr. Walker was then but 
twenty-two, and Mr. Eaton (brother of General Eaton, who went to 
Africa and distinguished himself there), not much if any older. At that 
time Rome contained about 1,400 inhabitants and promised to be the 
largest place in the county. It was settled, too, by some of the most 
prominent men in all this section of country. Utica at that time 
was much smaller in size than Rome, numbering in 1820 only 2,000 
persons. The town of Rome in 1820 numbered 3,569 persons. 
Messrs. Walker & Eaton located their newspaper establishment on 
Dominick street, in what was called the " McGraw house." The first 
paper was issued August 17, 1799, and while the first numbers were be- 
ing struck off Mr. Liston, British minister at Washington, happened to 
be passing the ofifice on his way to Canada ; he called in and 
procured a copy. In the winter of 1800 Mr. Eaton left and went to 
Cayuga county, and Mr. Walker continued as sole proprietor. About 
a year after it was first started, the paper was moved to a chamber in 
the tavern house then occupied by Solomon Rich, known as the Rome 
Coffee House. Subsequently the paper was moved to a building on 
James street and published there until 1803. At that time the laying 



174 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

out of the turnpike, or State road, from Utica through Vernon, etc., and 
the refusal of the owners of real estate in Rome to sell, except at ex- 
travagant prices, preferring to lease, together with the solicitations of 
political and personal friends of Mr. Walker in Utica, and the prospect 
that Utica was to be the place, Mr. Walker, in March of that year, 
removed his paper to Utica, continued its name there, and made it a 
supporter of Thomas Jefferson's administration 

From March, 1803, until 1 8 18, Rome was without a newspaper. In 
that year an effort was made by the Uticans to procure the courts, 
which were then held at Rome and Whitesboro, to be held in that 
city (village then). The Romans fought that move desperately, and to 
make the opposition to that project more forcible and effectual, the 
Romans induced E. Dorchester, of Utica, who was then publisher of 
the Utica Observer, to remove his press to this place. Mr. Dorchester 
had been of the firm of Walker & Dorchester in the publication of the 
Columbian Gazette, and had also in part, if not in whole, edited that 
paper, from 1 8 14 to 18 17. In the latter year he started the Utica Ob- 
server. In the fall of 18 18 he removed it to Rome, and changed its 
name to the Oneida Observer, and located on the north side of Domi- 
nick street, in a building then standing just west of the Spencer Hall 
block site and between that block and Washington street. The paper 
was published there a year, and was patronized and taken by the 
Romans, and whilst here, battled successfully against the Utica move- 
ment relative to the courts. In this fight, the Whitestown people took 
sides with Rome. In 18 19 Mr. Dorchester returned to Utica with his 
paper, changed its name back to the Utica Observer, and continued its 
publication. 

From 18 19 to 1821 Rome was without a paper. In February of 
that year Mr. Lorin Dewey started a paper called the Rome Republican, 
It was located in a building standing on James street, near the corner 
of Stone alley. In May of that year Chauncey Beach became the sue- 



NEWSPArERS. 175 

cessor of Mr. Dewey as publisher of the RepubHcan. Shortly after Mr. 
Beach became proprietor the office was removed to a wooden building " 
then standing where the Merrill block was erected, on the corner of 
James and Dominick streets. In the fore part of the season of 1828 the 
paper, which had been theretofore neutral in politics, came out for Gen- 
eral Jackson for the presidency. This was done through the influence 
of Hon. H. A. Foster, Judge Hayden, Dr. Brown, and one or two 
others, who took stock in the paper or subscribed quite liberally for its 
support, witli the understanding that each one of its subscribers, or 
stockholders, was to be repaid in advertising or job work, Judge Hay- 
den being nominal editor. As soon as it became known that the paper 
had come out for Jackson, an execution was issued on a judgment 
against Beach, previously rendered, in favor of either William Williams 
or Mr. Seward, of Utica, and Deputy Sheriff Hubbell, of Utica, came 
to Rome to make the levy and carry off the type and materials. A levy 
was made and the materials loaded into a vehicle, and taken some dis- 
tance from the village, when it was replevined and detained here by 
Mr. Foster, who had purchased a chattel mortgage given by Beach to 
S. B. Roberts prior to the judgment. That suit was subsequently com- 
promised by each party party paying his own costs and the paper con- 
tinued here. 

Inasmuch as the Rome Republican had become a Jackson paper, the 
Adams men here thought they must have an organ too, so in June, 
1828, they started a paper, with J. P. Van Sice, publisher, and called it 
the Oneida Republican ; that paper was located on James street. Mr. 
Beach continued to publish the Rome Republican as a Jackson paper, 
where the Merrill block was built, and Mr. Van Sice continued the 
Oneida Republican on James street, until some time in 1830; in that 
year both papers became merged, in some way, and were moved to the 
" Checkered store," north side of Dominick street; the paper continu- 
ing Democratic, although J. P. Van Sice was publisher. 



176 OUR CITY AND IT8 PEOPLE. 

In April, 183 i, the proprietors of the Republican (which seemed to 
be called after the consolidation the Oneida Republican, during the 
year 1830) sold the establishment to Eber P. Moon, who started a new 
paper, or rather continued the old one in an enlarged form, under the 
name of the Rome Telegraph. This paper was published by Mr. Moon 
in the " Checkered block " about a year, when he was succeeded by 
James H. Harris, who moved the establishment to a brick building on 
the south side of Dominick street. Harris continued as publisher for a 
year or two, when he was succeeded in 1834 by John Brydon, who 
superintended the paper, as announced, " for publisher and proprietor." 
During the publication of the Telegraph by Moon and Harris, they had 
given to Mr. Foster incumbrances upon the plant for advances made 
thereon, so that when Mr. Brydon came in Mr. Foster was the sole 
owner, the other stockholders or subscribers having been paid in full. 
Brydon removed the establishment to a wooden building then standing 
where the store now stands occupied by Spencer 8^ White, the printing 
office entrance being from the alley. After Brydon left one or two 
others took charge of the establishment, which was a losing concern for 
Mr. Foster, until 1838, when Foster sold out to R Waldby, Mr. Foster 
having sunk in the establishment some four thousand dollars Mr. Fos- 
ter paid Brydon $10 a week for his services, paid the compositors and 
the other expenses of the office, and he (Mr. Foster) being in the Sen- 
ate and necessarily absent from town a considerable portion of the time, 
Brydon collected amounts due the proprietor, pocketed them, and 
never accounted for them. By this process the proprietor was fleeced, 
yet he kept the paper going. B. F. Sherman, brother-in-law of Mr. 
Foster, wrote considerable for the paper, as did Mr. Foster when at 
home. When Mr. Waldby purchased, he moved the establishment 
across the street; he issued his first number November 13, 1838, and 
changed the name to the Democratic Sentinel. Calvert Comstock was 
the editor until after the close of the political campaign of 1840. He 




SAMUEL O. SCUDDER, M. D. 



NEWSPATERS. 177 

came to this village in 1838 from Whitesboro, where he was practicing 
law, and entered into a partnership with Foster & Stryker, and was 
busily engaged in an extensive and lucrative law practice, when, at the 
urgent solicitation of political friends, he undertook the editorship as 
above stated; but in consequence of increasing and pressing law busi- 
ness he left the editorial chair after ten years' trial. In 1840 the Roman 
Citizen was started here as a Whig paper, as more fully described here- 
after. 

After Mr. Comstock's withdrawal as editor, L. D. Dana, then a law 
student in Foster, Stryker & Comstock's office, edited the paper for Mr. 
Waldby. In 1842 Mr. Waldby moved the establishment to a building 
which stood at the corner of the Erie Canal and James street. 

In April, 1845, H- T. Utley and S. W. Morton purchased the estab- 
lishment of Waldby, enlarged it and called the paper the Rome Senti- 
nel, Mr. Utley being the editor. In that year the establishment was 
moved to the Armstrong block, south side of the canal. In Septem- 
ber, 1846, Morton sold out his interest to A. J. Rowley, who became 
joint proprietor with Mr. Utley. Mr. Rowley entered the office as 
" devil" in 1835, when it was called the Rome Telegraph ; he was then 
but eleven years of age, and had stuck to the paper " through thick 
and thin." 

In July. 1847, Mr. Utley sold out to A. J. Rowley & Co. (the com- 
pany being Calvert Comstock), Elon Comstock, afterward of the New 
York Journal of Commerce, being the editor. In 1850 A. J. Rowley 
became sole proprietor, E. Comstock continuing as editor. January i, 
1852, Elon Comstock became sole editor and proprietor. July 15, 
1852, the Rome Daily Sentinel was started by Calvert and Elon Com- 
stock, owners of the establishment, and who then removed it to Domi- 
nick street, over the Rome Exchange Bank. In October, 1854, C. & 
E. Comstock sold one-half of the Sentinel establishment to D. E. Wager 

and D C. Rowley, the latter entering the establishment as an ap- 
23 



178 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

prentice in 1842. Mr. Rowley entered as "devil" in the Roman 
Citizen office in 1841. April 14, 1855, Wager & Rowley purchased 
the whole establishment of C. & E. Comstock. In July, 1861, Wood 
& Larwill became owners of the establishment, continuing thus until 
December, 1863, when the firm of Warren & Beers took it, it having 
been removed in the mean time to its present location. Mr. Warren 
was a former employee in the office of the Utica Observer, and Mr. 
Beers learned the printer's trade in the Rome Citizen office. In 
June, 1864, the establishment passed into the hands of Franklin D. 
Beers and Augustus C. Kessinger, who for more than thirty years 
have successfully conducted it. Mr. Kessinger began work in the Sen- 
tinel office in March, 1856. The daily and weekly Sentinel are Demo- 
cratic in politics and are among the leading exponents of the princi- 
ples of that party in the interior of the State. A. C. Kessinger is 
editor-in-chief, and is assisted by Albert R. Kessinger. 

The Rome Citizen. — The political campaign of 1840 is remembered 
by old citizens as one of great activity. The Democratic party was 
largely in the ascendent in the town and county. The " Rome Regency 
then controlled the politics of the town and county and was influential 
in national affairs. Here resided some of the political magnates of 
the Democratic party — Henry A. Foster, a host in himself; John 
Stryker, the political king ; Gen. Jesse Armstrong, member of Assem- 
bly in 1838; C. Comstock, an influential politician; B. P. Johnson, 
Alanson Bennett, Chester Hayden, and others." These Romans had 
their aids in all the towns of the county, and the Rome Regency con- 
trolled caucuses and county conventions. There was a Democratic 
newspaper here and had been for twenty years, with two in Utica, 
where there was only one Whig paper. There was no other Whig 
paper in the county except one at Vernon. In Rome in 1840 the 
number of leading Whigs was few, but they were able and determined. 
Among them were such men as .Arden Seymour, S. B. Roberts, 



• NEWSPAPERS. ~ 179 

William Howland, Calvin B. Gay, Simon Matteson, Virgil Draper, 
John B. Bradt, Sanford Adams, Woodman Kimball, and Francis Bick- 
nell. They were full of fight and when the campaign of 1840 opened 
they wanted a newspaper organ. To supply this deficiency the Vernon 
Compass was in June of that year removed to Rome and its name 
changed to the Roman Citizen. H. N. Bill was the publisher. There 
was some discussion as to the name to be given to the paper after its 
removal, and it was finally agreed to call it the Fort Stanwix Banner; 
that heading was actually engraved ready for use. Upon further dis- 
cussion and recognition of the fact that Stanwix Hall was the great 
rendezvoux of the Democracy, and that it might be therefore mis- 
takenly supposed by some that the paper was the organ of that party, 
Col. Arden Seymour suggested that the name be changed to the Ro- 
man Citizen, 

The first number of the paper was issued June 8, 1840, from rooms 
over a store on the site of the Willett House. H. N. Bill was the pro- 
prietor, Calvin B. Gay editor, David H. Soliss foreman, John Monroe, 
oldest apprentice and Alfred Sandford "printer's devil." Mr. Gaj' was 
an able lawyer, a strong writer and acted as editor about two years. C. 
Comstock, another excellent lawyer, was his opponent in the Demo- 
cratic paper. Other writers, of course, furnished political articles for 
each paper. The campaign contest was a sharp and bitter one. Mr. 
Bill continued publisher and about 1845 removed the office to rooms in 
the Kingsley block, corner James and Dominick streets. For a consid- 
erable period the two opposing papers were so bitter in and personal 
toward each other that various grand juries were besieged to find an in- 
dictment against the other for libel ; but probably the grand jury 
thought it was about an even thing, for no indictment was found on 
either side. 

Finding it difficult to make the establishment pay expenses Mr. Bill 
about 1845 placed it in a stock concern of fifty shares at $25 a share. 



180 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

These were taken by political friends and were to be repaid in printing. 
In 1846-7 J. P. Fitch hired the paper for one year of Mr. Bill, acted as 
editor and ran it on his own account. He was a vigorous man and 
caustic writer and made the Democratic politicians wiggle and twist as 
if on a bed of nettles. On August i, 1847, ^- Sandford and George 
Scott, both employees in the printing office, purchased Mr. Bill's inter- 
est for $1,250, taking up the stock certificates before mentioned. Mr, 
Fitch was continued as editor at a yearly salary of $100, he practicing 
law at the same time. About a year later he was succeeded by G. H. 
Lynch, who ably managed the paper through the Taylor campaign of 
1848. Mr. Lynch retired in 1849 to accept a position in the custom 
house. In the fall of that year, A. C. Sandford purchased Mr Scott's 
interest in the establishment and it was removed by the Messrs. Sand- 
ford, editors and proprietors, to the block opposite Stanwix Hall. In 
1854 came the great congressional fight between O. B. Matteson and 
B. N. Huntington, which was not surpassed by any other political 
struggle that took place in this city. A. C. Sandford favored Mr. Mat- 
teson's election while Alfred Sandford favored Mr. Huntington. The 
succeeding convention was an exciting one, both men claiming to be 
regularly nominated. In October of that year (1854) A. C. Sandford 
sold his interest to a committee of Whigs friendly to Mr. Huntington 
and the paper thereafter advocated his election, A. D. Griswold 
was then the principal editor The campaign was an extremely 
heated one and old citizens may remember that before election a 
sheet appeared headed " Roman Citizen Extra," containing gross 
charges against Mr. Matteson Mr. Sandford threatened a libel suit 
and the charges published created great excitement throughout the 
country. It was generally believed for many years perhaps that 
Mr. Sandford was in some way responsible for the issue of that 
sheet. Such however is not the fact ; it was published and circulated 
from Utica and he knew nothing of it until it appeared. In the fall 



NEWSPAPERS. 181 

of 1854 A. Sandford became sole proprietor of the Citizen and Mr. 
Grisvvold continued for a number of years to act as editor. On De- 
cember I, 1855, the establishment was destroyed by fire; but the ener- 
getic proprietor took up new quarters in the Merrill block, gathered to- 
gether some old type and issued his next regular edition. Within 
thirty days he had new presses, type, and all necessary materials for 
a new establishment. The office has never since left that building, 
though it has made local changes in its quarters. 

On June i, 1826, Egbert E. Carr purchased an interest in the Citi- 
zen establishment, and the firm of Sandford & Carr existed until Feb- 
uary, 1884, when the veteran Mr. Sandford sold his interest to Ernest 
E. Byam, the firm becoming Carr & Byam. In June, 1887, Mr. 
Carr sold out to Clark Briggs, the firm name becoming Byam & 
Briggs. On January i, 1896, Mr. Briggs purchased the interest of his 
partner and is now sole proprietor. In June, 1888, the semi-weekly 
Citizen was started, and is still continued. As a Republican organ of 
high character, the columns of which have always exhibited able edi- 
torial talent, the Citizen has during its long career found a large and 
friendly constituency. 

The Rome Republican was founded in 1881, as a weekly Republican 
newspaper by J. J. Guernsey, a practical printer of long experience 
and a newspaper writer of ability. The Republican soon gained a large 
circulation and in 1895 a tri-weekly issue was established in connection 
with the original paper. E. M. Pavey acted as editor of the paper in 
association with Mr. Guernsey until April, 1896, when he was suc- 
ceeded by J. M. Burke. Mr. Guernsey has made his journal attractive 
in appearance and given it an editorial tone that has made it a welcome 
guest wherever it has become known. 

The Harness Gazette. — This successful trade journal was founded in 
its present form on January r, 1886, by T. J. Mowry and H. B. Max- 
well, though it had existed in newspaper form a few years prior to that 



182 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

date. On January I 1889, the Harness Gazette Company was incor- 
porated, the same persons controlling the business. In July, 1889, Mr. 
Mowry purchased all of the stock and has since been sole proprietor 
and editor of the publication. Its name indicates the character of the 
Gazette and under Mr. Mowry's energetic and efficient management it 
has reached a remarkable degree of success 

There have been a few eohemerial publications in Rome which did 
not meet with the success anticipated by their friends and passed away 
early. Among them was a Welsh paper Y. Arweinyyd, a semi- 
monthly paper started in January, 1858, with R. R. Meredith and 
Thomas T. Evans editors It was discontinued in i860. 

The Parlor Journal and Literary News Letter, a monthly, was started 
in 1843 by Graham & Co It did not long survive. 

The Primitive Christian was published in 1845 by Rev. H. Matteson. 



POST-OFFICE AND MAILS. 183 



CHAPTER XVIII. 
POST-OFFICE AND MAILS. 

Matthew Brown, jr., was postmaster of Rome in 1800 and kept the 
office in his store on the site now occupied by F. A. Brockett, formerly 
J. D. Ely. Mr. Brown was doubtless the first postmaster of Rome. 
Joshua Hathaway was appointed about 1808 and held the office until 
his death in 1836. He was succeeded by his son Jay who remained in 
the office until 1849, when he was succeeded by R. G. Savery and the 
latter by A. J. Rowley. In 1857 D. E Wager succeeded Mr. Rowley 
and in 186 1 E. H. Shelley was appointed. In the fall of 1867 S. P. 
Lewis was appointed to succeed Mr. Shelley, but in the spring of the 
next year Mr. Shelley was reinstated, and was succeeded in 1870 b\' 
B. Whitman Williams, who was succeeded in 1881 by G. M. Palmer. 
J. D. Corcoran was appointed by President Cleveland in 1885, and was 
followed by Judge Scripture in 1889. Judge Scripture resigned in 
1893, and the present postmaster C. H. Dunning was given the place. 

In 1820 and previously the mails were brought from Utica to Rome 
sometimes on horseback and some of the time in a one horse convey- 
ance, Bildad Merrill, of Utica, having the contract and his son being 
the post rider. This was a semi weekly mail seventy years ago. About 
the same time George Washington Frederick Steuben Parkhurst, of 
Whitesboro, carried a weekly mail from Utica north via Rome to 
Sackett's Harbor. In 1824, or thereabouts, Mr. Nichols, son-in law 
of James Thompson, who then kept the American Hotel in Rome, ran 
a line of stages and carried the mail between Utica and Oswego via 
Rome. A man in Jefferson county succeeded Mr. Parkhurst in this 



184 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

contract. Not far from 1830C0I. Elisha Backus, of Trenton, and Sam- 
uel Buckley, of Watertown, succeeded the Jefiferson county contractor. 
The sons of Mr. Thompson also carried mails north from Rome about 
that time. M. L. Kenyon, stage driver under Backus, bought out the 
latter and after that he, M. D. Hollister and Giles Hawley were suc- 
cessively interested in these stage lines and in carrying mails. It is 
related that while Joshua Hathaway was postmaster he would permit 
no talking, wearing of hats, or standing up in the post-office while the 
mail was being distributed. As soon as the mail was brought in he 
would remark in a stern voice to those present, " Gentlemen, the 
United States mail has come; be seated and take off your hats, and no 
talking while the United States mail is being opened and distributed." 
The order was obeyed with as much deference as is the similar order 
at court to keep silence under pain of imprisonment, while a judge 
delivers a charge to a grand jury. 

After Jay Hathaway 's incumbency in the post-office, the office was 
about 1840 removed to the southwest corner of James and Dominick 
streets, and about 1845 to the Arcade. Soon after the cars began run- 
ning west from Utica in 1839, the mails were brought here thereon, and 
as Kenyon & Co. had the carrying of the mails north of here, the 
post-office department insisted that it belonged to those contractors to 
carry the mails between the depot and the post-office. The mails 
were so carried by them for a number of years, but at last they gave 
it up and the postmaster had to see to it himself for a time. The 
first regular mail carrier between the depot and the post-office was 
Warren Raymond ; he received $80 a year compensation. After him 
Charles Yorkey was carrier at the same pay. In May, 1849, Mr. Will- 
iams commenced in the position and continued twenty to thirty years. 
When he began he carried the mail on his arm in a small leather bag, 
the bag being about as large as himself In a year or two the mail in- 
creased and he had to use a wheelbarrow and still later a hand-cart. 




JAMES H. SEARLES. 



POST-OFEICE AND MAILS. 185 

In 1852 he was compelled to use a horse and wagon. When A. J. 
Rowley was appointed postmaster he removed the office to Elm Row. 
Sunday, July 29, 1866, Elm Row was burned and the post-office was 
temporarily removed to the court house. When the block was built on 
the site of Elm Row the office was removed thither in February, 1867. 

24 



186 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 



CHAPTER XIX. 

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS. 

When the need of banking facilities in Rome became urgent the 
following memorial was addressed to the Legislature : 

The memorial of the undersigned, a Committee of the Inhabitants of the town of 
ROME, in the County of Oneida, Respectfully represents: 

That the citizens of that town and its vicinity, are desirous of obtaining a Charter 
for a Bank, to be located in the village of Rome, with a capital of $100,000, with the 
privilege of increasing the same to $150,000, to be called the Bank of Rome. The 
undersigned, in discharge of the duty assigned them, proceed to state some of the 
reasons for the application. 

The result of the last census shows that the County of Oneida is one of the most 
populous in the State, and second only to the city and county of New York. Its 
present number of inhabitants is nearly 72,000, and its limits embrace a highly rich 
and fertile territory, abundant in resources, containing some large and many 
flourishing villages, and the largest manufacturing district in the State. From its 
local situation much trade from the north and south, centres within it. From these 
and other causes, a large amount of Bank Capital is required for the convenient and 
advantageous transaction of business. The undersigned are aware that a consider- 
able and indeed, all the bank capital of the county is now located at Utica ; but they 
are led to the irresistible conclusion that the amount already invested there is wholly 
insufficient to meet the wants of the persons who resort to that place for accommo- 
dations; without regard to the northern part of the county and the counties adjoin- 
ing. This conclusion is based upon the fact, that your honorable body, at many of 
its previous sessions, and also at its present session, has been applied to for the in- 
corporation of the Oneida Bank, with a capital of $500,000; and in addition, the 
Bank of Utica has also applied for liberty to increase its capital $400,000. Besides, 
two of the banking institutions at present located there are of uncertain duration 
and may be withdrawn at any moment: the Ontario Bank, to the original location 
of the parent institution, and the United States Branch ma^, discontinue its opera- 
tions, whenever the Directors of the mother bank may from a refusal to renew its 
charter or any other cause, be induced to do so. The amount of permanent capital 



FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS. 187 

at that place is then only about lialf a million of dollars, while in the city of New 
York, witli a population only two-thirds larger than that of this county, there is' 
more than sixteen millions and in the city and county of Albany, witli a population 
about 18,000 less than our own, more than one and a half milli(»n. 

The undersigned, therefore, confidently believe, that an equal extent of the coun- 
try, embracing- as large a population, cannot be found in the State, with a less 
amount of bank capital than the county of Oneida. 

The village of Rome, in which the proposed institution is desired to be located, is 
situated nearly in the geographical center of the county, contains 1,400 inhabitants 
and' 21 stores, in which merchandise to the value of more than two hundred thous- 
and dollars is annually sold. In the town is an extensive cotton factory, a woolen 
factory, fourteen sawmills, three gristmills and four tanneries. It contains also, a 
canal toll office, at which was received nearly 30,000 dollars for tolls upon property 
during the last season; being three-fourths of the amount received at Utica for the 
same period. Utica is situated upon the county line, fifteen miles east of Rome and 
nearly fort}' from the northern and western extremities of the county. To Utica the 
collector must transmit his monies for deposit, and there, the inhabitants of the north 
ern and western sections of the county must resort for bank accommodations. Those 
residing in the towns of Florence, Camden, Vienna, Annsville, Lee and Western 
generally pass through Rome to Utica, and those residing in Boonville, Steuben, 
Remsen, Trenton, Floyd, Verona, Vernon, and part of Westmoreland, Deerfield 
and Whitestown, would find Rome more convenient to their residences, than Utica. 
In addition, portions of the counties of Madison, Oswego and Lewis, on a route to 
the great market towns of the State are nearer to Rome than any other place where 
a bank is already located, and the facilities for traveling are greater. But inde- 
pendent of other counties, at least one-half of the citizens of this county would be 
far better accommodated by a bank at Rome than at Utica. 

The undersigned therefore, confidently assert, that if local advantages, the quan- 
tity of business, the wants of the community, and the proper distribution of institu- 
tions depending upon legislative enactment, be taken into consideration, the village 
of Rome presents claims equal, if not superior, to a great variety of places in vi'hich 
banks have been located before, as well as since the adoption of the safety fund sys- 
tem. That system, at once highly creditable to the State, and affording ample se- 
curity to its citizens, has so well established the confidence of the public in the sta- 
bility and permanency of our banking institutions, that every facility consistent 
with the public good should, in the opinion of the undersigned, be granted for the 
diffusion of their benefits among all classes, and in sections of the country which 
have hitherto, in a great measure, been deprived of them. 

The undersigned, relying upon the merits of their application, and believing that 



188 OtTR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

your Honorable body will not fail to appreciate them, respectfully request, that the 

prayer of your memorialists be granted. 

Dated at Rome, January, 1832. 

Jay Hathaway, 

A. Bennett, 

J. Armstrong, 

B. P. Johnson, 

W. C. NOYES^ 

Committee. 

The foregoing memorial is a fair statement of the situation at that 
time ; it, moreover, gives pertinent hints of the feeling of rivalry exist- 
ing between the village and Utica. That Rome deserved a bank is 
clear enough, and doubtless the Legislature appreciated that fact, for 
the charter was granted. Rome was then the center of an extensive 
section embracing many villages and hamlets and a rich farming area 
which poured a considerable flood of busmess hither. The numerous 
tradesmen in those villages had a large part of their goods shipped 
from eastern markets by canal and most of them came to Rome, whence 
they were taken to their destination by farmers' teams and others who 
made a business of it. It was this fortunate situation as much as any- 
thing that enabled the place to pass through the panics of 1836-7 and 
1857 with less disaster than befell many other similar communities. 
While Rome has suffered, and that severely, through unfortunate fail- 
ure of banks, it is true on the other hand that those now in existence 
are prudently and liberally managed and give to the city the financial 
accommodation and facilities needed for the successful transaction of 
the large mercantile and manufacturing interests. 

The oldest banking institution now doing business in Rome is the 
First National. This bank was organized February 19, 185 1, as the 
Rome Exchange Bank, with a capital of $100,000, which has never 
been changed. The first president was Robert B. Doxtater ; Alva 
Mudge, vice-president ; these with Edward Huntington, Gordon N. 
Bissell, Calvert Comstock, David Utley. John B. Jervis, and Roland S. 



FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS. 189 

Doty were the first directors In June, 1853, Edward Huntington was 
elected president, and held the office until 1882 when Gordon N. 
Bissell was elected. He was succeeded in 1887 by F. H. Thomas, and 
he by Thomas G. Nock in 1889. On May 28, 1890, J. G. Bissell was 
elected president to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. Nock, 
and still holds the office. Gordon N. Bissell held the office of vice- 
president from 1858 to 1882, when he was succeeded by Thomas G. 
Nock, and he by J. G. Bissell in 1889. When Mr. Bissell was ad- 
vanced to the presidency, William R. Huntington was elected to the 
office of vice president. The bank has always occupied its present site, 
on which its building was burned in February, 1881, and the present 
structure erected The present (1896) board of directors consists of 
the following : J. G. Bissell, W. R. Huntington, Thomas G. Nock, 
George W. Davis, Henry G. Wright, Thomas M. Flandrau, Calvin 
Petrie, John B. Higgins, Edward Barnard. The last statement of this 
bank shows resources of $456,666.60 with a surplus fund of $20,000 
and undivided profits of $10,236.97. 

The Oneida County Savings Bank was organized May i, 1869, with 
the following officers : Trustees, Samuel B. Stevens (who was chosen 
president), Alfred Ethridge (vice-president), John J. Perry, Henry 
Hager, John F. Mix, Henr)- Johnson, James Walker, Alfred Sandford, 
Charles E. Frazer, Harold H. Pope, Henry R. Hill, Thomas D. 
Roberts, Salmon Tuttle, and G. Harrison Lynch who was chosen sec- 
retary and treasurer. The bank began business in the Central National 
Bank rooms, and continued there until April i, 1895. when it was re- 
moved to 158 West Dominick streel. The number of depositors is now 
about 1,800. Owen E. Owens is president; T. D. Roberts, first vice- 
president; F. L. Roth, second vice-president; John R. Edwards, sec- 
retary and treasurer. 

The Rome Savings Bank was organized in 1851, with Hervey Bra- 
ton, president; Andrew C. Bettis, vice-president; B. J. Beach, secre- 



190 OUR CITY AND ITS PECfPLE. 

tary. The business of the bank has been, until very recently, conducted 
in the building of the Fort Stanwix Bank. Edward Huntington was 
the second president of the institution and resigned in 1878, to be suc- 
ceeded by Gordon N. Bissell. He filled the office until his death, P>b- 
ruary 18, 1 891. Since that time Harvey D. Spencer has been presi- 
dent. Wheeler Armstrong is first vice-president ; A. P. Tuller, second 
vice-president; C. F. Barnard, secretary and treasurer. The trustees 
areas follows: John G. Bissell, Wheeler Armstrong, J. H. Searles, 
J. S. Dyett, Samuel Wardwell, Harvey D. Spencer, William R. Hunt- 
ington, Henry Barnard, Ackley P. Tuller, Harmon G. Utiey, Henry G. 
Wright. The report of this bank for January, 1886, shows assets of 
$1,986,765.61, with a surplus (stocks at market value) of $303,12302. 

The Bank of Rome was organized under the State law in 1875 with 
a capital of $100,000 which remains the same. In 1879 the name was 
changed to the Farmers' National Bank, and has so continued. W. 
J. P. Kingsley was elected the first president and still holds the office. 
R. M. Bingham was the first vice-president and was succeeded by Ed- 
ward Comstock. Samuel Wardwell is cashier, Charles E. Wardwell 
teller, and the following are the directors in 1896: W. J. P. Kingsley, 
Burt Olney, E. L. Stevens, A. P. Tuller, John D Oxner, Edward 
Comstock, W. W. Wardwell, Louis Glesman, John R. Edwards, 
Charles Rathbun, T. E. Roberts, Samuel Wardwell, Charles E. Ward- 
well, H. J. Hitchcock, John Wylie. The bank statement of May, 1896, 
shows resources of $697,070.98 with surplus and undivided profits of 
$20,905 80, 

Of the banks which had an existence in Rome and have become ex- 
tinct, the old Bank of Rome, the organization of which has been noticed 
in earlier pages of this volume, was the first and had a fairly prosperous 
existence down to 1863, when it went into liquidation and wound up 
its affairs. John Stryker was long president of that institution, and 
George R.Thomas, subsequently connected with the Utica banks, acted 
as cashier many years. 



FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS. lit I 

The Central Ni^tional Bank was organized in 1854 as the Oneida 
Central Bank. It was changed to a national bank in 1865, with $100,- 
000 capital. For forty years it carried on business, having among its 
officials some of the leading men of the city. It failed in December, 
1894, going into tiie hands of Jim Stevens as receiver, and its affairs 
are in progress of settlement while this work is in press. 

The Fort Stanwix National Bank was organized as a State bank in 
1847 and began business in February, 1848, with David Utley, presi- 
dent ; W. W. Nellis, cashier; H. G. Utley, teller. In 1865 the bank 
became national in charter, with a capital of $150,000. From that 
time onward until the present year (1896) it was considered one of the 
strongest financial institutions in Central New York, and had the confi- 
dence of every citizen of Oneida county. The late George Barnard had 
been its trusted cashier many years. On January 30, 1896, just as the 
State bank examiner was about to make his regular examination of the 
bank, Mr. Barnard hung himself in an upper room of the bank build- 
ing. The succeeding examination revealed a shortage of about $400,- 
000. The affairs of the institution are being closed and all available 
assets paid to depositors. 



192 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 



CHAPTER XX. 

THE BAR OF ROME. 

Many of the early lawyers and judges of Oneida county have been 
noticed in Chapter XXII of Volume I of this work. Some of them 
and others to be noticed here were conspicuous at the bar and on the 
bench in years long past No attempt is made here to arrange these 
sketches in the order of the prominence of their subjects, but rather to 
follow a chronological arrangement. 

James Lynch graduated at Columbia College in 1799, read law with 
Joshua Hathaway, and in 1804, was admitted to practice. He opened 
a law office in Rome, and had charge of his father's lands in this 
locality. The two main streets in Rome bear the Christian names of 
father and son — the father when Rome was organized as a town, own- 
ing some 2,500 acres of land, which included Fort Stanwix and the site 
of the whole business portion of Rome. He succeeded from Rome 
George Huntington in the Assembly, and was elected on the Federal 
ticket in the years 1813, 1814 and 181 5, all through the hardest part of 
the war. He moved to Utica in 181 8, opened a law office there, and 
about 1820 he became what was called a "high-minded Federalist," 
repudiated De Witt Clinton, and went in for D. D. Tompkins, and in 
1822 was elected to the Assembly. It was the year John E. Hinman 
was elected sheriff over S. Newton Dexter, and E. Dorchester, of the 
Oneida Observer, county clerk over Julius Pond. In 1825 Mr. Lynch 
moved to New York city, became judge of the Marine Court, and 
held that position until his death in 1853, at the age of sixty-seven 
years. 

Wheeler Barnes was born in Massachusetts, but he came from Ver- 





J. ARTHUR SMITH. 



THE BAR. 193 

mont to Rome about 1806, being at that time admitted to practice 
law. He was elected supervisor of Rome in 181 5, and again in 1816, 
and in the latter year was elected to the Assembly on the Federal 
ticket. He was a member of that Legislature which abolished slavery, 
and which authorized the commencement of the construction of the 
Erie Canal. In 1822 Mr Barnes ran again for the Assembly, but that 
was the first year after the new constitution of 1821 had gone into 
effect, and it was not a good year for any politician who still held 
to his Federal notions. Mr. Barnes did quite an extensive law practice 
for those times, and was for a time law partner of William Curtis 
Noyes. He was trustee of Rome village in 1822, 1823, 1824, and 
1825. Not far from 1837 h^ resided in Oswego, but in a few years he 
moved back to Rome, and died here in July, 1858, at the age of 
seventy- six years, and as the inscription upon his tombstone in the 
old burying ground reads, " having been a resident of Rome for fifty 
years." 

In 1806 another native of Massachusetts made Rome his permanent 
home. James Sherman, the newcomer, was a graduate of Williams 
College, and when he came to Rome was twenty-six years of age, 
and was an admitted attorney. For a year or so, and about 1807, he 
was a law partner of Joshua Hathaway, and was himself a candidate 
for the office of surrogate, and had obtained the necessary recom- 
mendations to secure his appointment ; but, on request, gave way to 
his partner, who was appointed. Mr. Sherman was justice of the peace 
for a number of years, and held other town offices, but did not mix 
much in county or State politics. He died in Rome in 1823, at the 
age of forty-three. He was father-in-law of Judge Henry A. Foster. 

Two years before Rome was organized into a town, Seth B. Roberts, 

then a boy of four years old, came with his parents from Middletown, 

Conn., to Whitestown, and there resided until about 1809, when he 

made Rome his residence. He read law with James Lynch ; was ad- 
25 



194 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

mitted to the bar in i8i6, and opened a law office in Rome. Mr. 
Lynch, who had acted as the agent for his father in the leasing of 
lands and collection of rents in Rome, moved to Utica in 1818, and 
Mr. Roberts was appointed in his place, which delicate and responsible 
trust he held for fifty-three years, through the various titles and suc- 
cessive changes of ownership of that landed property. The duties con- 
nected with that trust occupied the main portion of his time, so that 
he gave but little attention to law business, nor did he ever become 
much known, either as a lawyer or as a politician. He was firm and 
decided in his political convictions, yet he always sympathized and 
most generally acted with the party that most strongly favored the 
temperance cause and anti-slavery movement, or had for its object the 
bettering of the condition and the elevation of the human race. In the 
strong Democratic town of Rome, he was not infrequently elected to 
town offices, although he was always on the other side in politics. In 
1840 he was appointed one of the judges of the Oneida Common 
Pleas and for five years held that office. For sixty years of his life he 
was a resident of Rome, and the oldest inhabitant can not, through the 
whole of that period, recall a single instance where he was seen to be 
angry, or manifested the least irritation of temper. He who possesses, 
or can maintain, such an equanimity for such a period of time is en- 
titled to a place in any history , the recent one of Oneida county not 
excepted. Without guile in his heart, and with malice toward none 
and charity for all, he had not while living an enemy in the world, 
and no one even uttered an unkind word concerning him. He died 
in October, 1870, in the eighty-first year of his age. 

Not far from 1 81 2 Chester Hayden opened a law office in Rome. 
He married a sister of James Sherman. He was, for a time, law part- 
ner of Weeeler Barnes, and in 18 18 was town clerk of Rome; ran for 
Assembly in this county in 1821, and was defeated, and same year he 
moved to Pulaski and was appointed surrogate of Oswego county, and 



THE BAR. 195 

held that office for three years. In 1826 he returned to Rome, and 
was law partner of Henry A. Foster for a few years thereafter. In 1830 
he was appointed first judge of the Oneida Common Pleas, and about 
that time moved to Utica, and he lield that office until 1840. In 1843 
he was appointed side judge, and held that position for three years. 
About that time he moved to Albany, and in 1848 he published a legal 
work on " Practice and Pleadings " under the Code, that year brought 
into use for the first time. Subsequently he moved to Ohio, where he 
died, being at his death president and professor of a law school in that 
State. 

Soon after the war of 18 12 the father of Benjamin P. Johnson came 
from Columbia county to Rome and located here. The father was a 
practicing physician. Benjamin P. had read law with Elisha Williams, 
that renowned jury lawyer, of Hudson, Columbia county, and was ad- 
mitted to the bar in this county in 18 17. He was the first clerk of 
Rome village, two years afterwards, and held for many years the office 
of justice of the peace, school commissioner and other town offices — 
was commissioner of deeds, master in chancery, etc. In 1826 he was 
elected to the Assembly and again in 1827 and 1828. He never was 
prominent as a lawyer, although he had great versatility of talent, and 
was noted for the accuracy and quickness with which he dispatched 
business. It is said that he was able to listen to and carry on conver- 
sation with several persons on different subjects, and at the same time 
draw a contract, or write a letter. In the great religious revival under 
Mr. Finney, in 1825 and 1826, Mr. Johnson was converted, and in Feb- 
ruary of the last named year, he united with the Presbyterian church, 
and about the time as did 184 others on the same day. He was quite 
active and prominent in church matters, and not far from 1830 was 
licensed to preach by the Oneida Presbytery, and occupied the pulpit 
of the Second church, in Rome, during the occasional absences of its 
pastor, and also preached at other places, for the then ensuing ten 



106 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

years. It is not an unusual occurrence for persons to leave the minis- 
try for the legal profession, nor for members of the bar to abandon the 
law and go into the ministry ; but the instances are quite rare when a 
person occupies the pulpit and practices at the bar during the same 
period of time. It affords evidence that all lawyers are not as bad as 
they are painted, and that more of them should " practice what they 
preach." In 1841 Mr. Johnson was made the first president of the 
Oneida County Agricultural Society, and for two or three years there- 
after he was associated with Elon Comstock, in the publication of an 
agricultural paper at Rome. In 1847 he went to Albany and became 
secretary and treasurer of the State Agricultural Society, and held that 
position for twenty-two years. In 185 1 he was delegate or commis- 
sioner from this State to the World's Fair, at London ; and the infor- 
mation he there gathered, and the sights he there saw, offered him the 
opportunity to advance the sphere of usefulness of the society of which 
he was secretary. Mr. Johnson died in Albany, in April, 1869, at the 
age of seventy-six years. His remains are now in the Rome cemetery. 
In the winter of 1819-20, Joseph B Read, a schoolmate of Henry A. 
Foster, came to Rome and entered the law ofifice of Seth B. Roberts to 
complete his law studies. He had previously read law in Delphi, On- 
ondaga county. For a number of years he was justice of the peace in 
Rome; was admitted in 1823, and about 1824-5 became a law partner 
of Mr. Foster, In 1831 he was trustee of Rome village, and when 
George Brown, of Rome, in 1832, entered upon his duties as county 
clerk, Mr. Read was made his first deputy. His health was then poor, 
and he far gone with consumption. The fall he started to go South to 
spend the winter for his health, but he died while on the boat going 
down the river from Albany to New York. 

Prior to 1810, a young man, then of Otsego county, commenced the 
study of medicine in the ofifice of the celebrated Dr. White, of Cherry 
Valley, with a view of becoming a practicing physician. He was about 



THE BAR. 197 

eighteen years of age, and with such an education as the common 
schools of the country then afforded. He supported himself by teach- 
ing district schools in winter, that he mi^ht. in summer, study for a 
profession. Having occasion to attend court at Cooperstown, he was so 
charmed with the trial of the causes, and with legal proceedings in court, 
that he expressed to Joshua Hathaway, of Rome, who then chanced to 
be at court at Cooperstown, a notion and a desire to exchange the 
study of the medical, for that of the legal profession. He was en- 
couraged so to do, and invited to become a student in Mr. Hathaway's 
office. The invitation was accepted, and Samuel Beardsley came to 
Rome; boarded in the family of Mr. Hathaway; read law; tended 
post-office, and assisted in the Surrogate's Court, all in the same office, 
then on the site now occupied by " Elm Row " buildings. The studies 
of Mr. Beardsley were again interrupted, not by peaceful pursuits, but 
by the stern realities of war. The northern frontier of New York was 
invaded by British troops, and in 1813 Mr. Beardsley went to Sackett's 
Harbor to assist in the defense of his country. On his return to Rome 
he conipleted his legal studies ; was admitted to the bar in 1815 ; took 
up his residence in Watertovvn for a year ; returned to Rome and opened 
a law office; married a daughter of Judge Hathaway, and was law part- 
ner of James Lynch for a short time. He was town clerk of Rome in 
18 17; supervisor in 18 18, 18 19 and 1820. In 1821 he was appointed 
district attorney in place of Nathan Williams — on the same day that his 
father-in law was made surrogate of the county. In 1822 Mr. Beards- 
ley, Thomas Greenly, of Madison county, Sherman Wooster, of Herki- 
mer, and Alvin Bronson, of Oswego, were elected senators from this 
district, over George Huntington and his associates. This was the first 
election under the new Constitution of 1821, and it is a singular fact, and 
worthy of mention, that the Democrats elected, that year, the whole 
thirty two senators in the State — a victory no party had won since the 
formation of the State government. Mr. Beardsley drew for the short 



198 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

term in the Senate, and served but one year. Tn 1823 he was appointed 
by President James Monroe, United States district attorney for this dis- 
trict. Soon after his appointment as United States district attorney in 
1823, Mr. Beardsley moved from Rome to Utica. In 1830 he was 
elected to Congress by 1.648 majority over S. N. Dexter who ran as 
the anti- Jackson and anti-Masonic candidate. Mr Beardsley's major 
ity in Rome was 184. Fortune C. White ran as the workingman's can- 
didate, and received three votes in Rome, and 249 in the county. On 
his election to Congress he resigned the office of United States district 
attorney. In 1832 he ran the second time for Congress, and was 
elected over Charles P. Kirkland, by about 600 majority in the county. 
In January, 1834, Governor Marcy tendered to Mr. Beardsley the office 
of circuit judge for this judicial district ; but as President Jackson needed 
his services and the Democratic party his vote in Congress he declined 
the proffered appointment, and Hiram Denio was appointed in the fall 
of that same year. Mr. Beardsley ran again for Congress, and was 
elected over Joshua A. Spencer. In 1836 he was appointed attorney- 
general, and in 1842 he was again elected to Congress over Charles P. 
Kirkland. In February, 1844, Governor Bouck appointed Mr. Beards- 
ley Supreme Court judge, and three years later he was made chief jus- 
tice, and held tha". office until the Constitution of 1846 went into effect. 
Mr. Beardsley was a Democrat of the strictest sec^ the hardest of the 
" hards " in the time of that party. He was one of the very few who 
could and did take an active part in politics, for over thirty years of an 
unusually busy life and yet stood on a level at the bar and on the bench 
with the ablest lawyers in the land, and head and shoulders above a 
large majority of his fellows. On his retiring from judicial duties, for it 
can hardly be said he ever retired from taking a great interest in poli- 
tics, he opened a law office in New York city for a while, devoting him- 
self wholly to counsel business, retaining however his residence in Utica. 
He died in the latter city. May 6, i860, the very day he had attained 
the age of seventy years and three months. 



THE BAR. 199 

In i8i2, when Samuel Beardsley was reading law in the office of Mr. 
Hathaway, tending post office and boarding in the family of his then 
future father-in-law, he had a fellow boarder and student a young man 
a couple of months younger than himself, who had graduated from 
Brown University in Rhode Island, and that year came with his father's 
family to Rome and settled at the " Ridge." That fellow student and 
boarder was Daniel Wardwell, who the next year went into the office 
of Gold & Sill of Whitesboro, and was admitted to the Jefferson Com- 
mon Pleas in 1 8 14 while for a brief time a resident of that county. He 
married a daughter of Newton Mann, lived and practiced law in Rome 
in 1816 and 18 17, his office being a small frame building where the 
Sentinel office now is. In 1820 he lived in Utica, and soon after moved 
to Jefferson county; and 1824 was appointed by Governor Yates side 
judge of that county. It was in his office in 1821 at Adams, that Rev. 
Charles O. F'inney, who afterward become the noted revivalist, was 
reading law at the time of his conversion, and thereupon abandoned 
the law for the ministry, Mr. Wardwell was elected member of assem- 
bly from Jefferson county 1825, 1826 and 1827. In 1826 he was the 
means of causing great commotion at Albany, New York and the 
river counties, by his introduction into the Assembly and advocacy of a 
resolution favoring the removing of the State capital to Utica or some 
other central point. The project took like wild fire in the central and 
western part of the State, and public meetings were held at Utica, pre- 
sided over and taken part in by its leading and prominent citizens in 
favor of the proposition Unfortunately that measure failed. In 1828, 
in the exciting presidential contest between Jackson and Adams, Mr. 
Wardwell ran for State senator in his district. His opponent was 
William H. Maynard of Utica. Masonry or anti Masonry was then one 
of the exciting topics of the canvass. The election was close, but Mr. 
Maynard was elected by about 300 majority. In return for this defeat, 
the Jefferson county district elected Mr. Wardwell to Congress for three 



200 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

successive terms, the first time in '1830, and which was for a longer time 
than any other person has been elected from that county. It is worth 
while to note that he was elected for the same three terms and in the 
same years, as was his fellow law student Mr. Beardsley from this coun- 
ty, and that both were warm personal and political friends, and were 
among the most determined adherents and supporters of President 
Jackson all through the stormy period of his administration. Daniel 
Wardwell and Samuel Beardsley were for so many years in such close 
contact and fellowship with President Jackson, it has often seemed 
'as if they had much of the unyielding purpose, unbending integrity 
and Roman firmness of that fearless statesman. In the last year of Mr. 
Wardwell's life, after his mind had passed into the penumbra of that 
eclipse from which it never fully emerged, while his conversation wan- 
dered on all other subjects, a recurrence to or calling up of the stormy 
times when he was in Congress, seemed to remove the clouds from his 
mental vision, to bring light and flash to his eye, determination in his 
look, as if those scenes were again passing in review before him, and if 
ready to exclaim like Bonaparte in his wild delirium at St. Helena, 
" the head of the army !" Mr. Wardwell was elected to the Assembly 
for the fourth time in 1837 ^^^'^ Jefferson county. He became a resi- 
dent of Rome again in i860, and died here in March, 1878, lacking but 
a month of his eighty-seventh birthday. 

Hiram Denio was born in Wright Settlement, obtained all his educa- 
tion in town except what he obtained at Fairfield Academy ; read law 
at first with Wheeler Barnes, and afterwards with Storrs & White of 
Whitesboro; was admitted to the bar in 1821 ; opened a law office in 
Rome; was appointed in 1825 district attorney of the county, to suc- 
ceed Samuel Beardsley, and about that time moved to Utica. In 1834 
he was appointed circuit judge, and after four years was compelled to 
resign by reason of ill health ; held the office of bank commissioner 
from 1838 to 1 841 ; was clerk of the old Supreme Court from about 1840 



THE I5AR. 201 

to 1845 i ^V'^s Supreme Court reporter from 1845 to 1847, '^^ the five vol- 
umes of Denio's Reports attest; in June, 1853, he was appointed by 
Governor Seymour to fill a vacancy in the Court of Appeals, and in the 
fall of that year was elected over Judge MuUin ; when his term ran out 
fourteen years later, he was renominated. It is a little singular, 
that as decided a Democrat as Judge Denio was. and as inti- 
mate as he. Judge Beardsley, Judge Foster, Greene C. Bronson 
and other Democrats were in politics, he never attended conven- 
tions nor aspired to political office. That he was a lawyer and judge, 
however, second to none in the State, all concede. He died in Novem- 
ber, 1871. 

In November, 18 19, a young man, but a few months past nineteen 
years of age, came from the office of Beach & Popple, attorneys and 
counselors at Oswego, to Rome, and entered the law office of James 
Sherman, to complete his law studies. At that time, to be an attorney 
and counselor of the Supreme Court required a previous course of 
study of seven years. Two and a half years of that time had been 
passed by that student, commencing in 181 5, in the law office at Caz- 
enovia, of David B. Johnson, father of D. M. K. Johnson, of Rome. In 
1818 he read law at Onondaga Hill, then the county seat of Onondaga 
county, in the office of B. Davis Noxon, who subsequently became an 
eminent lawyer in Central New York, and was father of Judge Noxon, 
of Syracuse. When Henry A. Foster entered the law office of James 
Sherman, as above stated, the Erie Canal between Rome and Utica 
was but just completed and brought into use. There were at that time 
six lawyers in Rome, viz.: Joshua Hathaway, Wheeler Barnes, James 
Sherman, Samuel Beardsley, S. B. Roberts, and B. P. Johnson. Mr. 
Hathaway devoted most of his time to official duties, Mr. Roberts had 
charge of the Lynch estate, and Mr. Johnson had been admitted only 
a couple of years. In those days the oldest as well as the foremost 

members of the bar practiced in Justice's Court whenever an opportu- 
26 



202 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

nity offered, and tried causes therein with as much zeal and tenacity as 
in courts of record. For a law student to obtain a livelihood, when he 
had to compete in those courts with experienced and influential practi- 
tioners, it was requisite he should be one of more than ordinary pluck, 
industry and intelHgence. It was only for a few years previous that 
anybody could practice in Justices' Courts, for, as the law stood prior 
to i8i2, justices of the peace were prohibited by positive law from 
allowing any one to appear in their courts as an advocate, or to try 
causes, except in cases of the sickness of the suitor. But in April, 
i8i2, that law was repealed, and the preamble to the repealing clause 
reads so quaintly yet so truthfully, and withal sounds so oddly at the 
present day, that we are tempted to copy it. It reads: " Wnereas 
it often happens that suitors are wanting in ability to do justice to their 
own causes, ot are deserted by that presence of mind which is the requi- 
site to command or bring into use such abilities as they may actually 
possess ; and whereas it is a constitutional right which every person 
has, to employ assistance in all lawful business, therefore the above sec- 
tion is repealed." It is an acknowledgment of an old saying, that he 
who tries his own cause has a fool for a client. It was well understood 
that whenever Mr. Foster was in a law case, even when a law student, 
that in the vernacular of the present day, " it meant business." In 
1822 he was admitted to the bar, and within three hours after his ad- 
mission to the Common Pleas, he was assigned by the court to defend 
a person who was indicted for petit larceny, second offense, the offense 
having been committed before the first conviction. In the judicial rec- 
ords of Oneida county are the notes of a trial, which took place that 
year at the General Sessions, before Judges Joshua Hathaway, Truman 
Enos and Samuel Jones. Samuel Beardsley was district attorney. As 
the law now is, a person convicted for the first time of petit larceny, is 
liable to imprisonment only, in the county jail, and if convicted of a 
similar offense, after the first conviction, then the punishment is by im- 



THE BAIL 203 

prisonnient in the State prison. The statute as it then read provided 
for the punishment, by imprisonment in the State Prison, " of every 
person who should be a second time, or oftener, convicted of petit lar- 
ceny," without saying (as the law now does) that the second offense 
must be committed, a/ier a conviction for a former theft. The objec- 
tion was taken by Mr. Foster, that this could not be a State prison 
offense, as the indictment did not allege nor the proofs show, that the 
offense was committed after a previous conviction ; but that in fact, the 
conviction was for the second offense ; that the intent and spirit of the 
statute were to work a reformation oi the offender, by increasing the 
punishment, for offenses committed after a conviction ; but if this was 
a State Prison offense, then the punishment was the greater for \.\i^ first 
offense. The district attorney relied upon the literal reading of the 
statute, and for two hours the respective counsel argued that question 
of law to the court. Two of the judges held with the district attor- 
ney, and the other one with Mr. Foster, and so the case had to go to 
the jury. As jurors in those days were popularly considered judges of 
the law as well as of the fact in criminal trials, the prisoner's counsel 
summed up to the jury on that theory and on that question of law, and 
for two hours the counsel on both sides argued to the jury as to the 
construction which should be given to that statute, without either side 
hardly touching upon the merits of the case, as to the guilt or inno- 
cence of the accused. The jury took the law of the case into their own 
hands, construed the statute differently from the two judges, and on 
that question of law acquitted the prisoner/ With such a "send off" 
at the commencement of a professional career and when but twenty- 
two years old, it can hardly be supposed Mr. Foster ever lacked for 
clients. A few years later, the same question came up again in this 
county, and was carried to the Supreme Court, and that court (3d 
Cow. Rep., 347), gave the construction to the law contended for by Mr. 
Foster, and then the Legislature changed the statute, to make it con- 



204 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

formable to that decision. It was difficult in those days, if not impos- 
sible, for a person to remain neutral in, or for one of ambition and 
abihty to keep out of politics during the exciting times growing out of 
the discussion relative to the convention and constitution of 1821, the 
elective franchise, the presidential campaign between General Jackson 
and John Quincy Adams in 1824, and the still more exciting one of 
1828. Mr. Foster, like Samuel Beardsley, Greene C. Bronson, Samuel 
A. Talcott, William H. Maynard, Henry R. Storrs, Joseph Kirkland, 
Ezekiel Bacon, Joshua A. Spencer, Timothy Jerkins, and other legal 
luminaries, drifted into politics, and at an early age all of the above 
took as active a part in caucuses and conventions as in the trial of 
causes at the Circuit. In 1826, in the gubernatorial contest between 
De Witt CUnton and William B Rochester, Mr. Foster was nominated 
for Assembly on the Rochester ticket ; but the Clintonians and Feder- 
alists were too strong in the county, and the Rochester Assembly ticket 
was defeated. In 1827 Mr. Foster made a bold push for the office of 
surrogate, then held by Mr. Hathaway. It was a hazardous attempt 
for a young man. not then twenty- seven years of age, to try for the 
displacement of one who had been in political life as long as Mr. Hath- 
away, and who knew so well all the ins and outs of politics ; and more- 
over, who had to back him his son- in law, Mr. Samuel Beardsley, then 
an important factor in the politics of the county and State. Neverthe- 
less, the effort was made. In March, 1827, Mr. Foster was appointed 
Mr. Hathaway's successor, surrogate of Oneida county, by Governor 
De Witt Clinton, which office he held until 1831. In 1830 he was 
elected State senator over Nehemiah Huntington, an old lawyer of 
Madison county. Mr. Foster's majority in Oneida county was 1,400. 
Ephraim Hart, of Utica ran on the workingmen's party, and received 
one vote in Rome and 475 votes in the county. 

Mr. Foster was trustee of Rome village in 1826, 1827 and 1828, and 
supervisor of the town in 1829 and 1830, and again in 1833 and 1834. 



THE BAR. 205 

In January, 1835, ^^^ ^^^ again appointed surrogate of Oneida county, 
to succeed Alanson Bennett, and held the position until he resigned in 
August, 1837, as he was then soon to commence his congressional 
labors at Washington. In 1S36 he was elected to Congress over 
Joshua A. Spencer, although Israel Stoddard ran as the " bolters' " 
candidate, and carried off 1,200 votes. It was the year Martin Van 
Buren was elected president of the United States. In the Harrison 
campaign of 1840 ex-Governor Seymour and Ward Hunt were com- 
petitors for the nomination for the State Senate. As the senatorial 
convention was about equally divided between those two candidates 
they finally compromised on the nomination of Mr. Foster, who was 
elected over Chester Buck of Lewis county. While in the Senate dur- 
ing this term Mr. Foster introduced a resolution, and to him belongs 
the honor of procuring its passage through both Houses of the Legis- 
lature, favoring the modification of the franking privilege, and a reduc- 
tion of the rate of postage (the cost of sending a single letter through 
the mails then being from eighteen to twenty-five cents). That was 
the first Legislative action taken on that subject, and although it took 
the general government a long time to give heed to that request from 
the Empire State, yet it was eventually done, and Mr. Foster lived 
to see that reform, initiated by him and so much needed by the peo- 
ple, become the law of the land. Near the close of his term he re- 
signed, to accept the appointment of United States senator, to fill a 
vacancy. 

In April, 1853, President Franklin Pierce appointed Mr. Foster to 
the office of United States district attorney for the nortliern district of 
New York. The appointment was entirely unsolicited and une.x- 
pected ; the first knowledge or intimation Mr. Foster had of such in- 
tended appointment was from the newspapers. He felt compelled to 
decline the proffered honor, and Samuel B. Garvin, then of Utica, was 
subsequently appointed. In 1863 he was appointed judge of the Su- 



_>0G OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

preme Court from this judicial district for a term of eight years. Such 
then is a synopsis of the poHtical and judicial life of Judge Foster, in 
addition to as large and important a law business as any other law- 
yer in Central New York, viz.: Six and one-half years surrogate ; two 
years in Congress ; eight years in the State Senate ; and eight years 
on the bench of the Supreme Court — all of which positions he adorned 
and discharged their various duties with an ability, fidelity and fatthful- 
that were never questioned. 

Bloomfield J. Beach was born in Taberg June 27, 1820, and was 
educated in Oliver C Grosvenor's school in Rome, in Hamilton College 
and graduated from Princeton College in 1838. In 1840 he began the 
study of law with Calvin B Gay in Rome and in 1843 was admitted to 
the bar and become a partner with Mr. Gay. In 1846 the firm of 
Stryker, Comstock & Beach was formed, and after that Mr. Beach had 
as partners A. H. Bailey and D. E. Wager, the latter connection be- 
ginning in 1874. Mr. Beach seldom appeared in court, but was 
eminent as counsel and in office work. During his life he was member 
of assembly, secretary and treasurer of the Rome Savings Bank forty- 
three years, president of Rome village, trustee of the Rome Water 
Works, director of Fort Stanwix Bank and of the F'irst National Bank, 
and held many other positions of trust. Mr. Beach died in March, 
1894. 

Present Bar of Rome. — The bar of Rome as at present constituted 
comprises many men of acknowledged ability and high character. 
Notices of several will be found among the more extended biographies 
in this volume. 

R. C. Briggs was born in Earlville, N. Y., October 24, 1847, ^"d 
obtained his education in Whitestown Seminary and Hamilton College. 
He studied law with Johnson & Prescott and was admitted to the bar 
in 1878. He began practice alone in Rome, but for many years has 
been associated in partnership with W. B. Bliss. In politics he is a 



THE BAR. 20r 

Republican, and has been honored by his fellow citizens with election 
to the office of alderman of the Fifth ward, serving three years, and is 
now in his second term as special county judge, his second term be- 
ginning January i, 1896. 

W. B. Bliss, partner with Mr Briggs, is a native of Rome and was 
born September 7, 1838 ; he is a son of John Bliss. Educated in the 
Rome Academy, he studied law with George F. Bicknell, also with 
Foster, Johnson, Boardman & Lynch, and graduated in the Albany 
Law School in 1861. He began practice in Lee Center, but towards 
the close of the war of the Rebellion he joined the army as first lieu- 
tenant of Co. L, 15th Engineers, and served to the end of the war. 
Returning he located in Rome and has continued in active practice 
since He has held the office of special county judge two terms and 
during his second term was elected county judge to fill a vacancy, and 
at the end of a year was elected for the following term. He has also 
served one term as surrogate. He is Republican in politics. 

Eugene A. Rowland was born in Boonville February 29, 1864; re- 
ceived his education in the Rome schools and Colgate University, 
where he graduated in 1884; studied law with Johnson & Prescott, 
was admitted to the bar in 1887 ^"^ was appointed United States 
commissioner in 1890 and is now in that office. He is Republican in 
politics. 

John D. McMahon, born January 28, 1859, was educated in the 
Rome Academy, studied law with Johnson & Prescott and was ad- 
mitted in October, 1882. A Democrat in politics he was appointed 
city attorney in March, 1883, was made recorder in 1886 and re-elected 
in 1890; he resigned in 1892 and was appointed deputy attorney- gen- 
eral of the State, holding the office in 1893-4. He ran for Congress 
in 1888 and was defeated. 

Andrew Delos Kneeland, born in Binghamton May 6, 1863, was ed- 
ucated in Colgate University and Madison University ; studied law 



208 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

with J. I. Sayles and John S. Baker in Rome and was admitted in Jan- 
uary, 1888. He is a RepubHcan and held th^ office of city attorney in 
1892-95. 

Timothy Curtin, born in Rome October 22, 1 857, was educated in 
the high school at Ravenna, Ohio, studied law with M. D. Barnett in 
Rome and was admitted in 1881. He began practice in Rome and a 
year later formed a partnership with J. D. McMahon, which was dis- 
solved in 1894. He is a Republican, and held the office of justice of 
the peace and ran for the office of Recorder in 1882. 

John S. Baker was born in Salem, N. J., in 1844, received an aca- 
demic education in the Charlotteville (N. Y.) Seminary, studied law in 
the Albany Law School and three years with Pomeroy & Southworth 
and was admitted to the bar in 1866. He has practiced in Rome ever 
since. He is a Republican in politics, held the office of alderman 1878- 
-80, was a member of the Board of Education, 1880-82, was recorder 
in 1 89 1 (to fill vacancy). He is at present a member of the Water and 
Sewer Commission. 

Edward L. Stevens was born March 10, 1834, graduated from Union 
College in 1855, and from the Albany Law School. He has been in 
active practice in Rome since 1857, and has held the offices of president 
of the village, mayor of the city, etc. 

Stoddard M. Stevens was born in Rome February 25, 1863, is a son 
of E. L. Stevens. He was educated in the Rome Academy and was 
graduated from Cornell University in 1885. He studied law with his 
father in Rome and was admitted in January, 1888. His politics are 
Democratic. 

E O. Worden was born in Annsville April 17, 1849, was educated 
in the district schools, and studied law with Nock & Briggs, James P. 
Olney, and John S. Baker, to June, 1883, when he was admitted to the 
bar at Buffalo. He has been in active practice in Rome ever since; is 
a Republican in politics and in 1893 was chosen special county judge. 



THE BAR. 209 

Howard C. Wiggins was born in Floyd July 12, 1865, was educated 
in Whitestown Seminary and in the law department of Union Univer- 
sity. He was admitted to the bar in May, 1888, beginning practice in 
Rome. He has since had as partners A. D. Kneeland and James P. 
Olney, dissolving the latter in 1893. A Democrat in politics, he has 
held the office of recorder of the city, 1892-94, to fill a vacancy, is one 
of the Police and Fire Commissioners, a trustee of the Oneida County 
Savings Bank and a manager of the Rome State Custodial Insti- 
tution. 

J. P. Gubbins was born in New Haven, Conn., June 15, 1864, was 
educated in the district schools and Rome Academy ; studied law with 
John S. Baker and was admitted to the bar in November, 1890. He 
is a Republican and is now in his second term as justice of the peace. 

G. R Cornish was born in Lee Center November 29, 1856, he was 
educated in the Lee schools, studied law with Barnett & Brenner and 
was admitted in 1885. He has practiced in Rome since 1887, is a Re- 
publican, and has been city attorney since March, 1896, succeeding 
A. D. Kneeland. He was appointed canal collector in the Rome office 

in 1895. 

George S. Klock was born in St. Johnsville, Montgomery county, N. 
Y., January 6, 1859. He received his education in district schools of 
his native place, at Fort Plain, and in Whitestown Seminary. He 
studied law with W. E. Scripture in Rome, was admitted to the bar in 
1880, and has ever since practiced in Rome. He is a Republican in 
politics, was elected to the office of district attorney in 1892 and re- 
elected in 1895. 

Harvey S. Bedell was born in Verona village, July 30, 1839. He 
was educated in the Vernon Academy, studied law with Conklin & 
Throop and with Sterling V. Hadley in Waterloo, N. Y., and was ad- 
mitted in October, 1861. He began practicing in Rome in the follow- 
ing year and continues to the present time. In 1863 he was elected 
27 



210 OUR CIT^ AND ITS PEOPLE. 

special surrogate; in 1869 school commissioner and has been a mem- 
ber of the Board of Education and of the Water Commission. His 
politics are Democratic. He is now acting as attorney for the receiver 
of the Central Bank. 

A. F. Sayles was born in Plymouth, Chenango county, N. Y., No- 
vember 16, 1858, studied law with J. I. Sayles in Rome and was ad- 
mitted in March, 1880. He practiced at North Western five years and 
has since been a partner with J. I. Sayles. He is a Republican in poli- 
tics ; held the office of postmaster in North Western, and in the spring 
of 1895 was elected alderman of the First ward of Rome. 

D. F. Searle was born in Westmoreland, and received his education 
in Whitestown Seminary and Hamilton College. He studied law with 
J. I. Sayles in Rome, and was admitted to the bar in April, 1884. In 
1887 he became a partner with J. I. Sayles and A. F. Sayles. 

Joseph Porter was born in Springfield, Mass., September 4, 1846. 
He was educated in Whitestown Seminary, and served three years in 
Co. E, 2d N. Y. Heavy Artillery. He is a Republican, and has served 
as clerk of the Board of Supervisors and as assessor. 

C. H. Dunning is the son of Richard Dunning, and was born in 
Rome in 1852. He received his education in the Rome Academy, and 
was one year in Hamilton College. He studied his profession with E. 
L. Stevens, and was admitted to the bar in October, 1876. He has 
taken an active part in Democratic politics, was appointed city attor- 
ney in 1879 ; was elected recorder in 1882 for four years, and in 1887 
was again chosen city attorney, holding the office until 1891. On De- 
cember I, 1893, he was appointed postmaster of the city of Rome. 

Charles Carmichael was born in Western, October 29, 1855. He was 
educated in the public schools and Cazenovia Seminary, studied law 
with J. S. Baker and W. E. Scripture, and was admitted April 8, 1881. 
He has always practiced in Rome. A Democrat in politics, he was 
appointed city attorney in 1881 and again in 1892. He was elected 
recorder in March, 1894. 



THE BAR. 211 

John E. Mason was born in Western, August 31, 1870; was educated 
in the pubhc schools and Rome Academy. Studied with McMahon & 
Curtin, and was admitted in 1896. He has held the positions of clerk 
of the Recorder's Court ; clerk of the Excise Board and clerk of the 
Board of Assessors. 

S. E. Spinning was born in Lee, August 6, 1862, graduated from 
Cazenovia Seminary in 1885, studied law with W. H, Kenyon, Oswego, 
and was admitted February 13, 1890. He has practiced in both 
Oswego and Rome. He is a Democrat and was elected justice of the 
peace in March, 1894. 

J. S Schwarz was born in Philadelphia, N. Y., August 19, 1862 ; was 
educated in Canisius College, Buffalo, studied law with H. F. Bedell, 
Rome, and was admitted in January, 1885. He has practiced since in 
Rome, is a Democrat in politics, held the ofifice of special surrogate in 
1893, and was justice of the peace eight years from 1888. 

M. H. Powers was born in Annsville, Oneida county, June 10, 185 1, 
and is a son of James Powers. He received his education in the dis- 
trict schools, with a short period in Clinton Liberal Institute, and 
studied law with H. O. Southworth, Barnett & Sayles, and in Hamilton 
College Law School, where he finished in 1874. He began practice at 
West Branch, in this county, -continuing there two years, when he 
located in Florence and remained eight years. The past twelve years 
he has been in successful practice in Rome. His politics are Derno- 
cratic. 

Isaac J. Evans was born in Oriskany, July 20, 1853. He was edu- 
cated in Whitestown Seminary, graduating from the classical depart- 
ment. He studied law with W. B. Bliss and with Barnett & Sayles, 
afterwards attending the Albany Law School one year. He was ad- 
mitted in May, 1876, and has since practiced in Rome. He is a Re- 
publican in politics and was elected special county judge in 1883 serv- 
ing one term of three years, at the close of which he was elected county 
judge. 



212 OtJR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

H. S. Wilson was born in Lee, Oneida county, August 29, 1834, and 
educated in Whitestown and Fairfield. He studied law with C. M. 
Greene at West Branch and Pomeroy & Southworth in Rome, and 
took a course at the Albany Law School. He has practiced in Flor- 
ence, in Minnesota ten years, in Santa Rosa, Cal., five years, and then 
located in Rome. 



THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 21:'. 



CHAPTER XXI. 

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 

The history of the Oneida County Medical Society is given in Chap- 
ter XXIII of Vohime I, with many other details connected with this 
profession. The first meeting of that society was held in Rome on July 
I, 1806, and among the physicians who attended this meeting are found 
the names of the few who were practicing hereabouts at that early date. 
In the proceedings of the society since that time the medical men of 
Rome city and town have borne an honorable part, as already recorded. 
Following are brief sketches of many of the leading physicians of the 
present time : 

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION IN ROME. 

Edwin Evans was born in Whitestown, March 25, 1845, graduated 
from the Whitestown Seminary in 1867; studied medicine in Utica, 
and entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York in 
1870. Prior to that time he studied at Ann Arbor, Michigan, and one 
year in New York city. He also took a course in a post-graduate 
school in Philadelphia. He is a member and ex-president of the 
Oneida County Medical Society and a member of the State Medical 
Society. 

Thomas G. Nock was born at Windsor Locks, Conn., August 13, 
i860, and received his education in the Rome Academy and Williston 
Seminary, East Hampton, Mass. He studied medicine in the medical 
department of Syracuse University, graduating in 1883. He studied 
also with Dr. M. C. West after graduation. After practicing a few 
months he was appointed house physician of Rochester City Hospital, 



214 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

then spent six months in Brooklyn, going from there to Boston, where 
he was three months in Murdock Hospital, He next spent one^year in 
Rome, after which he was house surgeon in a New York Cancer Hospi- 
tal for seven months, down to 1890, and since that time he has prac- 
ticed in Rome. 

A. A. Gillette was born in Steuben, April 21, 1856, was educated in 
the Rome schools, Rochester University, and graduated from the medi- 
cal department of Michigan University in 1881. After practicing ten 
years in Westernville he located in Rome. 

Charles E. Fraser, jr., was born in Delta, Oneida county, July 6, 
1850. Was educated in Whitestown Seminary; the medical depart- 
ment of Michigan University and Bellevue Medical College, New York, 
From 1 87 1 to 1882 he practiced in Lee Center, since which time he has 
been in Rome. He is a member of the Oneida County Medical S6- 
ciety and the American Medical Association, and has been medical 
superintendent of the county alms house. 

J. Harris Oxner was born in Herkimer county in 1842, was educated 
at Fort Plain, and in the Poughkeepsie Business College. He studied 
his profession at Ann Harbor, Michigan, graduating in 1880, and 
has practiced in Rome since. 

A. E. Dietrich was born in Rome January 8. 1869, was educated in 
the Rome Academy, studied medicine in Long Island Hospital, gradu- 
ating in March, 1893. In the fall of that year he began attendance for 
one year in the Rome Custodial Asylum, and in January, 1895, began 
practice in Rome. 

J. Middleditch was born in England, November 23, 1 854, received his 
education in the public schools of Binghamton, and the Gilbertsville 
Academy. He studied medicine with H. H. Wicks at Gilbertsville, 
and graduated from the medical department of the University in Buffalo 
in 1 88 1. After practicing for a time at Gilbertsville he settled in Rome 
in i89i. 



THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 215 

Richard Eskridge Sutton was born at Great Mills, St. Mary's coun- 
ty, Md., September 15, 183 i. He was educated at Charlotte Hall Acad- 
emy, Md., graduating in 1847, ^"d had read medicine long before 
that with his father, who was an eminent physician. He graduated 
from the University of Maryland, March 10, 1851, before he was twenty 
years old. From that time until 1856 he practiced in Great Mills, went 
thence to Russia, Herkimer county, N. Y., for three years, and then to 
St. Johnsville. From there at the breaking out of the war he went as 
surgeon of the 1 1 5th Regiment, resigned on account of illness, and after 
recovery became a volunteer surgeon. Since the close of the war he 
has practiced in Rome. Dr. Sutton held the office of city chamberlain 
about twenty years. 

J. R. Post, was born in Picton, C. VV., in 1849, was educated in 
Toronto University, graduating in 1872. Beginning practice in Flor- 
ence, Oneida county, he continued there thirteen years, removed to 
Rome in 1884, and has continued in active practice ever since. 

Thomas P. Scully was born in Greenbush, N. Y., i860, studied medi- 
cine in Albany Medical College, graduating in 1885. He practiced 
five years in Cohoes, and since that time in Rome. 

Dr. James H. Whaley was born in Verona, October 18, 1861, and is 
a son of Dr. James Whaley, and grandson of Dr. Alexander Whaley, 
one of the pioneer physicians of the county. He was educated in Rome 
Academy and Cornell University and studied medicine in Bellevue 
Hospital College, graduating in 1888. He has practiced in Rome. 

HomeopatJiic. 

A. B Southwick was born in Sangerfield, June 20, 1840. He grad- 
uated from Hamilton College with the degree of A. B. in 1863, and 
three years later was given the degree of A. M. He studi^^d medicine 
in the Homeopathic School in Waterville with Dr. E. A. Munger, and 
afterwards attended lectures in the Homeopathic Medical College of 



216 OUR CIT^ AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Pennsylvania and in the New York Homeopathic College. He has 
practiced in Rome ever since, and is a member of the Oneida County 
Homeopathic Medical Society ; of the New York State Homeopathic 
Society and the American Institute of Homeopathy. 

N. C. Scudder was born in Rome, August 14, 1853, was educated in 
the Rome Academy and graduated from Hahnemann Medical College 
in 1879. He practiced one year in Camden and one year in Frederick, 
Md., since which he has continued in Rome. He is a member of the 
Oneida County Homeopathic Society, was its president in 1888, and is 
now its secretary and treasurer. He is a member of the State Medical 
Society and of the American Institute of Homeopathy and consulting 
and attending surgeon in the Utica Homeopathic Hospital. 

The Gifford Family. — John Gifford was born in the town of West- 
port, Bristol county, R. I., March 9, 1800, the youngest child of John 
and Isabel Gifford, the family tracing its descent far back into English 
history. Three centuries before the conquest of England by Duke 
William (in the eleventh century) we find them seated at Honfleur in 
Normandy. At the battle of Hastings in 1066 Sir Rudolph De Gifford 
was one of the conquerer's standard bearers and was rewarded by him 
with lands in Somersetshire and Cheshire, which were created into a 
Barony, from which his descendants were summoned to Parliament. 
In the reign of King Henry H Sir Peter Gifford married Alice, daughter 
and heiress of Sir Grey de Corbuchin, with whom he had the lordship 
of Chillington in Cheshire which was the seat of the Duke of Bucking- 
ham of this family. 

Sir Stephen Gifford, son of Peter, was one of the barons accompany- 
ing Richard Coeur de Lion to the Holy Land and was killed in the siege 
of Jerusalem and his son Stephen was wounded. This family enjoyed 
great distinction in the English court for several centuries and no less 
than five peerages existed in it at one time. Baron George ^Gifford, 
descendant of Stephen, was made Earl of Buckingham by King Henry 




JOHN STRYKER. 



THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 217 

V and afterward by Edward V and created Duke of Buckingham and 
married Maud Plantagenet, the king's cousin. His son George, Duke 
of Buckingham, being by the tyrant King Richard III detected in the 
act of corresponding with the h^arl of Richmond (Henry VH) he was 
attainted of treason and beheaded by Richard's orders ; he however left 
several small children, but as they had been deprived of their lands and 
titles the mercenary king, Henry VH, found it more convenient not to 
restore them, and Humphrey Stafford, who married the king's oldest 
daughter, was created Duke of Buckingham. Through the reign of 
King Henry VH, Queen Mary, and Elizabeth the Giffords ineffectually 
put their claims before the English Parliament. Still later Ambrose 
Gifford, in the reign of James I, claimed before the house of peers to be 
Duke of Buckingham. Walter Gifford, son of Sir Ambrose, emigrated 
from England to Massachusetts Bay in 1630 and was the original of the 
American branch of this ancient family. 

Recompense Gifford, son of Walter and grandfather of the late John 
Gifford, was born in the early part of the 17th century and followed the 
occupation of a farmer at Tiverton, R. I. His son John, father of John, 
first named in this sketch, was born in Rhode Island in 1774. His 
mother, whose maiden name was Isabel Milk, was born in 1753, the 
former living to the age of seventy-seven while the latter lived to be 
ninety- three years. They were both religious people, the former a 
Baptist and following the occupation of a farmer, and filling the pulpit 
on the Sabbath ; the latter belonged to a society of Friends. They 
were the parents of twelve children, all living to the years of maturity, 
some of them filling responsible positions ; all have passed away. John 
Gifford (first above named) attended the village school until he was 
fifteen years of age. At this age his desire to see more of the world 
than could be seen in the little village of Westport induced him to leave 
his parental home. He followed the ocean five years, visiting many 
ports of the old world, Not satisfied with t\\e life of a sailor, he next 

28 



218 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

learned the trade of painting and chair- making. Hearing promising 
accounts of the Black River country in York State, he next turned 
westward, traveling the entire distance on foot. 

He arrived in Watertown late in the summer of 1822 ; here he com- 
menced to erect a shop in September of that year. In his business he 
was very successful for nearly five years. This shop was consumed by 
fire in August, 1827, leaving him penniless. With assistance, he, in 
September of the same year, commenced to erect a new shop which is 
the present Hitchcock lamp factory. In this shop he continued in busi- 
ness until 1836. 

He married the only daughter of Col. John Gotham, July 26. 1827, 
with whom he lived nearly forty- nine years In 1837 ^e turned his 
attention to farming. He removed his family, consisting of wife and 
six children, to Lewis county and on a farm comparatively new he 
commenced his new occupation, in which he showed much energy and 
ability ; but the struggle was against fearful odds. He returned to 
Watertown in 1841 where, after leasing a farm for three years, he lo- 
cated in 1844 on the one which he occupied up to the time of his death, 
which took place September 10, 1880. He reared a large family, nine 
of whom survive him, respectively representing the varied positions of 
their ancestry. Among them we find men of the learned professions, 
the mechanic and the farmer. Mr. Gififord's theology was a belief in 
the universal salvation of mankind. In his politics he was strictly 
Democratic, never sacrificing principle to party. Radical in his plans, 
discreet in the application of modern scientific improvements ; he was 
in the main executive in all he undertook ; he made farming pay. 
His devotion to business continued to the end of his life, he was 
large hearted, had a retentive memory and easy communication. He 
was a kind neighbor, a true friend, and most loving father, and in 
the home circle and community in which he lived he was greatly 
missed. 



THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 219 

Dr. Alden Gifford, son of John, was born in Watertown in No- 
vember, 1 83 1. He received his education in his native town and in 
the commercial college at Poughkeepsie, and in Chicago. He is a 
graduate of the old Hahnemann Medical College of Chicago, and be- 
gan practicing in Rome in 1879, and has thus continued ever since. 
He is a member of the Homeopathic Medical Society of Oneida 
County and has been a member of the State Society. 

The oldest dentist in Rome is S. F. Tremain, who was born in 
Vienna and received his education in Cazenovia Seminary. He then 
entered the office ol Dr. Perkins in Rome, where he remained sev 
eral years and began practice in Vernon. A few years later he re- 
turned to Rome, bought out Dr. Perkins and practiced almost thirty- 
five years in the rooms where he learned his profession. W. F. Tre 
main is his son and studied with his father and graduated from the 
Philadelphia Dental College in 1889. F'ive years ago they occupied 
their present commodious offices on West Dominick street. 

G. H. Lloyd was born in Utica, March 7, 1854. He graduated 
from the Philadelphia Dental College, practiced in Rome three years, 
followed by seven years' practice in New York city, since which time 
he has done a large business in Rome. 



220 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 



CHAPTER XXII. 

MANUFACTURES. 

In the early years of its history and down to about the last quarter of 
a century, Rome had little to boast of in the line of manufactures. 
Nearly destitute of water power and without other natural resources 
that could be made available in this direction, it is not strange that ex- 
tensive manufacturing industries were not established here. There 
were the usual village shops where hats, boots and shoes, wagons, tin- 
ware, etc., were made, many of which with the names of the proprie- 
tors have been described in foregoing pages ; but within the past 
twenty-five years a number of large industries have been founded in 
Rome that have been of great importance in adding to her population 
and wealth. 

Among these is what is now known as the Rome Brass and Copper 
Company, the large product of which embraces brass, copper, and 
German silver in sheets, wire, rods, tubes and plates, and various novel- 
ties in these metals made from blanks and shells. This company orig- 
inated in what was called the Rome Iron Works, which were estab- 
lished in 1866 for mining, smelting and manufacturing iron and steel, 
re-rolling rails and bars and the mining and sale of coal. In 1878 the 
manufacture of brass was added and in 1887 the working of copper was 
begun. On October 20, 1891, the name of the company was changed 
to its present title, with S. O. Scudder, president ; William R. Hunt- 
ington, vice-president ; J. S. Haselton, secretary and treasurer. Mr. 
Scudder was one of the original stockholders and was chosen president 
in 1884. At his death Mr. Huntington was made president, and W. J. 
P. Kingsley vice-president. Mr. Huntington succeeded B. W. Will- 



MANUFACTURES. 221 

iams as vice-president. The practical management of tlie business is 
in the hands of J. S. Haselton, to whom much of its success is due. 
From 300 to 400 hands are employed. 

The Rome Manufacturing Company was organized under State laws 
April I, 1892, with a capital stock of $15,000, which was increased 
January I, 1 893, to $30,000. The works were started August i, 1892, 
and have continued since with a regularly increasing product. The 
chief articles of manufacture are nickel plated and polished tea kettles, 
tea and coffee pots and other copper stove ware. About seventy five 
hands are employed. J. G. Bissell is president ; W. L. Kingsley, vice- 
president; W. B. Johnson, secretary and treasurer. 

The Rome Merchant Iron Mill was founded in 1870, with John B, 
Jervis secretary and treasurer, and a number of Rome citizens asso- 
ciated in its management. In 1886 a reorganization was effected under 
its present name and m.inagement. The name of the company indi- 
cates its character, and the output is in the neighborhood of 12,000 
tons of the various kinds of merchant iron annually. About 225 hands 
are employed. Jim Stevens is president ; Samuel B, Stevens, vice- 
president; Charles W, Lee, secretary and treasurer; Samuel Southall, 
superintendent. Mr. Stevens is conspicuous in the business and com- 
mercial circles of Rome. 

The Rome Iron and Steel Bloom Company was organized in 1868 
for the manufacture of iron and steel directly from the ore by the 
Jameson patent process. The business was discontinued after a few 
years. 

The New York Locomotive Works were organized in Rome in 1881 
with Thomas G. Nock, president; H. A. V. Post, vice-president; 
Thomas H. Stryker, secretary and treasurer. The directors were the 
above named and John W. Ellis, William B. Isham, William W. Ward- 
well, Edward Comstock, H. M. Lawton and William M. Burr. The 
capital of the company was $200,000, which was increased in 1883 by 



222 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

the issue of $100,000 in stock and $150,000 in mortgage bonds. At 
a later date there were issued $150,000 in second mortgage bonds. 
The necessary buildings were erected a little east of Rome city, near 
the tracks of the New York Central Railroad, and equipped with an 
immense plant of machinery adapted for the building of locomotives. 
The business continued thus a number of years, during which engines 
were built for most of the prominent roads in the country and were 
shipped from Maine to Texas, from New York to the Pacific coast. 
Mr. Nock died in 1890 and Thomas H. Stryker was made president of 
the company. Previous to this time Mr. Siryker had resigned as sec- 
retary and treasurer and H. M. Lawton was appointed to the position. 
In the course of time the period of general business depression that 
swept over the country had a marked effect on the business of this com 
pany, as it did upon all others, and finally, in January, 1892, the works 
went into the hands of receivers in the persons of Thomas H. Stryker 
and Edward Comstock, The business was shut down, and in Septem- 
ber, 1892, the property was sold and bid in by the holders of the sec- 
end mortgage bonds, subject to the first mortgage. In 1893 a new 
organization was effected under the name of the Rome Locomotive and 
Machine Works, with Thomas H. Stryker, president ; William B, Ish- 
am, vice-president ; Edward Comstock, secretary and treasurer, and 
H. A. V. Post and Ralph N. Ellis, in addition to the foregoing as di- 
rectors. The capital was made $150,000 in stock and $150,000 in 
the first mortgage bonds. In December, 1863, a disastrous fire burned 
the main machine shop, and the boiler and the smith shops. These 
were largely rebuilt in the following year. The capital of the company 
has since been reduced by the payment of the first mortgage bonds and 
the issue of new bonds of only $75,000. Since the appointment of re- 
ceivers, the works have been operated to some extent, to finish uncom- 
pleted work and on general machine work, the building of new engines 
having been at least temporarily discontinued. The affairs of the orig- 



MANUFACTURES. 223 

inal company are not yet wholly settled. The company is now engaged 
in tiie experimental manufacture of the Hardie compressed air motor 
for the American Air Power Company. This new motor promises to 
revolutionize all street and suburban transit. The motor is the inven- 
tion of Robert Hardie. 

The Fort Stanwix Canning Company was incorporated in 1887 with 
$20,000 capital. Burt Olney was president ; J. P. Olncy, treasurer, 
and J. O. Waldo secretary. The business had originally been or- 
ganized by Burt Olney and J. Lloyd Jones ; the latter retired from the 
business in February, 1896. The Olney Brothers are sons of William 
R. Olney, who with Homer T. Fowler started the Rome Canning Com- 
pany in 1881. That business was merged in the Fort Stanwix Com- 
pany in 1893. The canning of vegetables of all kinds is conducted on 
a very large scale, a farm of 150 acres constituting a part of the equip- 
ment, and a capital of $100,000 being now represented. J. P. Olney 
studied for a lawyer, practiced for ten years in Rome until his father's 
death in 1889. 

The Rome Steam Knitting Mills were founded in 1878 by Clarence 
E. and E. Stuart Williams. The former died February 4, 1892, but 
his estate is still represented in the business. In 1879 James L. Will- 
iams, father of the two just named, became connected with the estab- 
lishment. About 300 hands are employed in the manufacture of Bal- 
briggan underwear. 

W. E Donahue came to Rome in 1882 and learned the plumbing 
business, working at his trade until 1888 when he started for himself. 
He has since built up a successful industry in all branches of the busi- 
ness. 

In April, 1891, R. M. Wilson, a native of Pennsylvania, established 
himself on the historical site of the old United States arsenal (see earlier 
chapters of this volume), in the manufacture of copper goods, to which 
he added in 1892, the production of brass. His principal articles of 



224 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

manufacture are solid copper bath tubs, water closets, tanks and seats, 
copper sinks, boilers, etc. His extensive additions to the old stone 
structure give him now six large buildings, in which are employed 
about 125 hands. 

W. J. Doyle learned the machinist's trade with the Rome and Water- 
town Railroad Company, and in 1879 formed the firm of Doyle & Co., 
proprietors of the Rome Revolver Forks. Two years later his partner 
retired and he joined with C. F. Hotchkiss in the manufacture of sad- 
dlery hardware, continuing three years. In 1887 W. J. Doyle became 
sole proprietor of the general machine shop which he now operates. 
In 1892 he became also associated with James A. Spargo in fine 
wire drawing, under the name of the Electrical Wire Works 

Edward Barnard, born in Lee, June 17, 1851. learned the harness 
making trade with Keith & Barnard, and later located in Morrisville 
where he purchased a shop and conducted it five years. Returning 
then to Rome he bought out his former employers and began a large 
line of manufactures of harness and horse goods for the trade. Among 
his productions are patent horse boots, halters, etc., and general sad- 
dlery hardware. Mr. Brainard is a director in the First National Bank 

of Rome. 

The Rome Textile Company was organized in June, 1895, with 
Arthur J. Wiley, president ; John E. Irons, vice-president; and Ezra A. 
Vary, secretary and treasurer. The company occupied the building 
erected for a flour mill by Sillenbeck & Wright, more than twenty years 
ago. A full equipment of knitting machinery was put in for the manu- 
facture of ladies' and children's cotton ribbed underwear. The capacity 
of the factory is 150 dozen daily and seventy-five hands are employed. 

The firm of Carpenter & Dyett (E. C. Carpenter and J. S. Dyett) 
was formed in 1886 for the manufacture of cot and crib frames, and 
folding chairs. This industry has developed into a large and important 
business. Previous to the formation of the firm Mr. Dyett was twenty- 



ti^r 









DAVID UTLEY. 



MANUFACTURES. 225 

five years in the grocery trade, and Mr. Carpenter was a member of 
the firm of A. Ethridge & Co., and Tuller & Carpenter, wliolesale 
grocers. He is president also of the Rome Metalic Bedstead Co., started 
in January, 1896, and promising well for the future. 

H. C. Maxwell began the manufacture of saddlery hardware in Rome 
in 1 88 1. In 1885 T. J. Mowry acquired an interest in the business, 
and the firm of Maxwell & Mowry continued four and one-half years, 
when Mr. Mowry retired. The business was carried on under the name 
of the Maxwell Co., Limited, until 1893, ^ince which time it has been 
carried on under the name of H. B. Maxwell, son of the former 
proprietor. 

The firm of S. H. & B. H. Beach purchased the lumber business of 
G. V. Selden & Co. in 1892. On April i, 1896, they acquired all the 
lumber manufacturing interests of Selden & Van Wagenen, who had 
carried on an extensive business in the manufacture of sash, doors and 
blinds, as successors of the above named firm of G. V. Selden & Co. 
The present firm deal solely in lumber. 

One of the old and reputable industries of Rome is the Adams 
Foundry and Machine Works, established in 1835 ^Y Eri Seymour 
and Sanford Adams, father of Sanford, jr. The latter learned the 
business with his father, beginning about 1850, and succeeded to 
the proprietorship of the works. In 1888 his son, Henry V. Adams, 
became a partner. About twenty-five hands are employed. 

John F. Atkinson, a native of Canada, where he learned the 
wagon maker's trade, settled in Rome as an employee of Isaac 
Knox. In 1881 he ran the business for himself, which he has success- 
fully continued. 

W. C. White, who was born in Whitesboro, October 6, 185 1, 

learned the trade of marble cutting there, and after working in 

various places, settled in Rome in 1872. He has been very successful 

in his business and turns out beautiful specimens of cemetery work. 
29 



22G OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

J. H. Cross, a native of Ireland, learned the marble cutting busi- 
ness in Boonville, and located in Rome in 1867. He has since 
conducted a successful business in this line. 

James Conley is a practical tinner and located in Rome in 1880. He 
now carries on a large stove and hardware store and does all kind of tin 
and copper work. 

C. Altenbrandt learned the trade of hat making in Danbury, Conn. 
He came to Rome in January, 1889, ^"d with his brother Henry 
opened a factory under the name of the Norwalk Hat Company. Two 
years later Philip Reiffert and Emmet Young became members of the 
company, and the factory was moved into the old rink. In 1895 ^^^ 
Altenbrandt assumed the sole proprietorship and took the name of the 
Mohawk Hat Works. Stiff and soft fur hats are made, and custom 
work for individuals. 

The Rome Steam Grist Mills were established by Welcome Hughes 
and J. C. Hale in January, 1892. The firm is now Hughes & Wilkin- 
son. Custom grinding only is done. 

The planing mill of W. H. George & Co. was started in the old 
Rome Spring Wagon Factory in February, 1896. The firm consists of 
W. H. George, Daniel Rees, Edward H. Owen and David Parry. 

Homer T. Fowler, born in Trenton, N. Y., has been prominently 
connected with manufacturing in Rome many years. He graduated 
from the State Normal School, Albany, in 1853, studied law in Lock- 
port and had an ofifice for a time at Holland Patent. He located in 
Rome in 1872 in the office of W. E. Scripture, but remained a little 
over a year, when his interests in various industries required all his 
attention. Associated with J. Lloyd Jones he established the Rome 
Canning Company, before described, and was several years interested 
with Milton B. Eraser in the manufacture of dairy implements. He 
also established the manufacture of window shades in the building now 
occupied by the Rome Knitting Mills. He has held the office of super- 
visor and school commissioner. 



MANUFACTURES. 227 

There are three breweries in Rome, all of which are in successful 
operation. The brewery of Kelley & Gaheen was built in 1859 by 
J. D. Kelley and Lawrence Gaheen ; this was burned in 1870 and was 
immediately rebuilt on a larger scale. Mr. Gaheen died in April, 1888, 
after a long and successful business career, and was succeeded in the 
firm by his son, Francis J. Gaheen. The product is present use and 
stock ale and the capacity is about 15,000 barrels a year. Both of the 
proprietors are practical brewers, and at the present time Simon P. 
Gaheen is associated with the firm as the head brewer. 

For about ten years prior to 1888 Ed. Evans had charge of the 
Vidvard brewery in Rome, and afterwards of the Smith brewery on 
Court street. In 1888 he built the establishment now operated by 
himself and John Giehl. 



228 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

MERCANTILE ESTABLISHMENTS, ETC. 

The jobbing business in groceries in Rome is creditably represented 
by the large houses of A. Ethridge & Co., A. P. Tuller & Co. and L. 
Hower, jr. 

Alfred Ethridge came to Rome in 1844 and established a retail 
grocery on the canal under the firm name of Northrup & Ethridge. 
This firm was succeeded by Mr. Ethridge alone who continued to 
about 1877, when A. P. Tuller and Erwin C. Carpenter were admitted 
to the firm and the style changed to Ethridge, Tuller & Co. This firm 
dissolved in 1880, and the name was again A. Ethridge & Co., Alfred 
Ethridge and Franklin A. Ethridge being the members. A few years 
later James M. Ethridge was admitted. The retail trade was aban- 
doned about 1880. (See biography and portrait of Alfred Ethridge in 
this volume.) 

The business of A. P. Tuller & Co. was established in i88r by Mr. 
Tuller and E. C. Carpenter under the style of A. P. Tuller & Co.; this 
firm name is still retained. Two years later Mr. Carpenter retired and 
James E. Barnard soon took his place. It is one of the strongest busi- 
ness firms in the city. Mr. Tuller was formerly a member of the firm 
of Ethridge, Tuller & Co., in the same line, is a director in the Farmers' 
National Bank, a trustee of the Rome Savings Bank, and holds various 
other honorable and responsible positions. 

L. Hower, jr., began business in Rome in 1869 as a retail grocer with 
his father under the name of L. Hower & Son. This firm continued to 
1883, when the senior died and the son has since carried on an ex- 
tensive trade at wholesale in all kinds of groceries, flour, tobacco, etc. 



MERCANTILE ESTABLISHMENTS, ETC. 229 

The dry goods firm now doing business as the A. M. Jackson Com- 
pany was formed February 3, 1896, and consists of A. M. Jackson, 
president; Jim Stevens, vice-president; H. W. McGwigan, secretary 
and treasurer. These and H. W. Van Vleck and Joseph J. Kelley are 
directors. This company succeeds A. M. Jackson & Co., one of the 
old and rehable business houses of the city. 

The grocery firm of Goliey & Rirnie consists of A. H. Golley and 
M. J. Birnie and was formed in 1890, beginning trade at their pres- 
ent location on West Dominick street. Mr. Golley had previously 
been in the same trade six years on James street, where liis present 
partner served as clerk for him. Both are natives of Lee Center. 

The bookstore now conducted by the J. W. Armstrong Company is 
one of the oldest business houses in Rome, dating back to 1845, when 
it was started by Oliver C. Grosvenor. He was succeeded about 
1855 by E. H. Shelley, who continued to 1875, when the business 
was bought by Jones & Armstrong. They continued it to 1895, 
when the present title was adopted and the business purchased by J. 
W. Armstrong. 

C. G. Miller, retail dealer in shoes, began his business career in 
Rome as a member of the hardware firm of Alger & Miller in 1886. 
Two years later he retired from that firm and opened a shoe store 
on Dominick street. After several removals he occupied his pre.scnt 
store in 1 896. 

Henry Wolff served as clerk in dry goods for H. H. Williams for 
thirteen years, and organized the firm of Wolfif, Doyle & Co. in the 
same business in 1886. Three years later the firm became Wolff & 
Doyle and thus continued five years, when Mr. Wolff purchased his 
partner's interest. He occupied his present store on Dominick street 
in 1888. 

A. F. Chase came to Rome while a boy and learned the painter's 
trade with A. W. Cole. He continued with him until 1876, when he 



230 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

started for himself in the same business. In 1892 he opened his store 
on James street, and carries a good stock of wall paper, artist's materi- 
als, frames, paints, varnishes, etc. 

The business in furniture now carried on by J. B. Wiggins & Son, 
was started by the senior member of this firm in 1875. In the next 
year he took his son, J. T. Wiggins into partnership. In 1884 the 
business was removed from the lower end of the city to West Dominick 
street where the firm had built a block; this burned in 1891 and was 
at once rebuilt. 

E. A. Willoughby began his Rome business life as a clerk in the dry 
goods store of A. M. Jackson & Co., where he remained four years. 
He then became associated with John R. Edwards in the same line, 
succeeding the firm of R. T. Miner, the style being Edwards & Will- 
oughby. After eight years he sold out and became superintendent for 
the R. M. Bingham company in the manufacture of wagons, harness, 
etc. In 1892 he established himself in that business and has success- 
fully conducted it since. 

In 1882 the dry goods firm of Bacon & Fillmore was formed, the 
members being F. E. Bacon and R. M. Fillmore. The business con- 
tinued eight years, when Mr. Bacon purchased his partner's interest, 
and placed the stock with that of John R Edwards in the store now 
occupied by them on West Dominick street, as the firm of F. E. Bacon 
& Co. When they occupied the present store it was enlarged fifty feet 
and adapted to the large trade of the house. Mr. Edwards is one of 
the older and more prominent business men of Rome, is treasurer of 
the Rome Savings Bank and has been otherwise honored. 

Thomas W. Singleton, a native of England, came to Rome with his 
parents when he was eight years old. His father, John Singleton, en- 
gaged in the hide and leather business, which he successfully managed 
until 1877, when he died, and his son succeeded him. Thomas W. 
Singleton is a Republican in politics and was honored with the nomi- 
nation for mayor, but was defeated. 



MERCANTILE ESTABLISHMENTS, ETC. 231 

The drug business of J. C. Bissell is the oldest in the h'ne in Rome. 
In 1843 G. N. Bissell bought out the old Pope stand which had been 
in existence since 1830, and consolidated it with the business which had 
for some years been conducted by Chesebrough & Leonard, taking the 
firm name of Bissell & Leonard. Some years after the death of Mr. 
Leonard, C. F. Bissell was admitted to the firm, but he retired in 
1882, and J. G. Bissell became a partner. The firm name of J. G. 
Bissell & Co. was adopted in 1883, when J. A. Owens became a 
partner, and continued thus to July, 1895 ; since which date the business 
has been conducted under the name of J. G. Bissell. (See biography 
of G. N. Bissell in this volume.) 

The Stanwix Engineering Company was established in 1887 by Knight 
& Hopkins. The present firm was organized in 1889 and consists of 
Charles W. Knight. Charles C. Hopkins and James W. Kittrell. Mr. 
Knight is a native of Rome and has been an engineer since 1878 ; he 
stands very high in his profession. Mr. Hopkins is a native of New 
Jersey and a graduate of Lehigh (Pa.) University. Mr. Kittrell is a 
native of Mississippi, a graduate of Annapolis Naval Academy and 
Lehigh University. This company has been entrusted with many 
very important engineering works in various parts of the country, and 
has recently made the plans for a complete sewer system for Rome. 

The clothing firm of Snow & Abbott is composed of George W. 
Snow and W. J. Abbott. They began business in their present loca- 
tion September i, 1889, with a stock of clothing and gentlemen's fur- 
nishing goods. In the spring of 1896 they added merchant tailoring. 
Mr. Snow was formerly in mercantile trade in Rome. 

W. J. Lasher began business in musical instruments, jewelry, etc., in 
1880, over the store of Spencer & White, and removed to his present 
store on West Dominick street in the spring of 1892. In 1887 he added 
a department of art goods to his business. 

N. H. Lake, a native of Otsego county, where he was born in 1824, 



232 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

began his business career as clerk in Utica ; five years later he 
went to Cooperstown, where he remained twenty years. He then 
located in Rome and opened a clothing store on the American corner. 
Ten years later he removed to his present store on West Dominick 
street. 

E. O. Rothmund was born in Rome, a son of Peter Rothmund. In 
1888 he went to New York and learned the trade of clothing cutter. 
Returning to Rome he entered the employ of R. B. Manning for a short 
time and was associated with C. D. Hildreth, but for only a short 
time. Since then he has conducted his merchant tailoring business 
successfully. 

L. H. Baker, a native of Vernon, began his business life as a tailor, 
but after four years failing health compelled him to abandon that busi- 
ness. In 1864 he began as clerk for H. W. Mitchell in dry goods, and 
labored in that capacity until 1888, when the present successful firm 
of Baker & Fox was formed. Their store is on West Dominick 
street. 

One of the oldest mercantile firms in Rome is Spencer & White, dry 
goods, on Dominick street. The firm is composed of Harvey D. Spen- 
cer and Henry K. White, who began trade in their present location on 
West Dominick street in 1856. For forty years they have occupied a 
leading position in the business circles of the city, and have acquired a 
reputation for unimpeachable integrity and vigorous enterprise. 

The drug store now occupied by F. J. Hager, on West Dominick 
street is a landmark in Rome. It has been kept in the past by Kinney 
& Green, C. F. Greene, E. H. Ward well. Palmer & Packard, Palmer & 
Shumway, Francis Ethridge and perhaps others. Mr. Hager began 
business there in that line in 1878 and has maintained the reputation of 

the old stand. 

The enterprising jobbing firm of Barnard & Rathbun (Fred M. Bar- 
nard and Frank B. Rathbun) was organized in January, 1882. These 




DANIEL WARDWELL. 



MERCANTILE ESTABLISHMENTS, ETC. 233 

young men are natives of Rome and are rapidly gaining the reputation 
of enterprising and successful business men. 

John Cummings is one of the oldest merciiant tailors in Rome, and 
has been in the business about fifty years. A large business has been 
carried on this line since i88o, which is managed by him and his son 
Edward W , John Cummings, jr., having established the store. The 
latter is engaged with Quentin, McAdam & Co., manufacturers of 
clothing in Utica. 

The firm of Fox & Graves, dealers in coal and wood, composed of 
B. S. Fox and H. S. Graves, was formed in June, 1891. Mr. Fox has 
been the agent of the New York, Ontario and Western Railroad and 
the Adams Express Company in Rome, since 1883, and previous to 
that was with the Delaware and Hudson Company. Mr. Graves is a 
son of Jerome Graves who was for many years in the employ of the 
Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburg Railroad in Rome and is a now a 
partner with his son in a carting business. 

William H. Lewis is a native of Syracuse, and carried on mercantile 
business in Vernon Center about twenty years. Fifteen years ago he 
located in Rome in the insurance business, and represents five strong 
fire insurance companies. He is also an inventor of some note, among 
the patents taken out by him being one on a hand rake, another for an 
extension handle, and a third on a spring pillow. 

The hardware business now carried on by Frank E. Brockett, was 
purchased by him in 1892 from Fred A. Tyler, and has been in exist- 
ence many years. His father, J. W. Brockett, is associated with him 
in managing the business, though not owning an interest. The latter 
is a native of Herkimer county and was brought up on a farm. He 
was afterwards in a foundry at Westmoreland and later carried on a 
store there ten years. He located in Rome in 1876 as a member of 
the firm of Clark & Brockett, stoves and tin ware. He sold out to his 
partner in 1886 and traveled several years thereafter, 

30 



234 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

The name of Wardwell is a conspicuous one in the business interests 
of Rome. The hardware business with wliich this name is intimately 
connected is now conducted by the Wardwell Hardware Company, 
which was incorporated in 1895, and of which W. W. Wardwell is 
president; Samuel Wardwell, vice-president, and John S. Wardwell, 
secretary and treasurer. The foundation of the business was laid by 
Harmon Emerson prior to 1850. In 1853 N. M. Wardwell, W. W. 
Wardwell, and W. H. Doxtater succeeded to that business. In 1864 
the establishment passed to Samuel Wardwell and W. W. Wardwell 
and was conducted under the style of Wardwell Brothers. In 1879 
J. S. Wardwell became a member of the firm, the st>le becoming 
Wardwell Bros. & Co., and continuing thus until the formation of the 
company above mentioned. Samuel Wardwell is also cashier of the 
Farmers' National Bank, of which W. W. Wardwell is a director. 

One of the older citizens who has long been in business in Rome is 
James Elwell, who was born in 1824, learned the harness maker's trade 
and came to Rome in 1848. In the next spring in company with 
Charles F. Keith he bought the business of Silas Clark on James 
street, which was continued eighteen years. In 1866 he went to Colo- 
rado, but returned and has since been in the loan brokerage busi- 
ness. He has held the offices of trustee of the village, collector, as- 
sessor, etc. 

The firm of Owens, Jones & Co., dealers in all kinds of coal and 
wood, began business in 1875. ^^ 1881 Mr. Jones retired from the 
firm and George W. Day came in. Mr. Owens is an old and respect- 
able citizen and held the office of county superintendent of the poor 
six years before 1875. Previous to joining this firm Mr. Day had 
served as clerk in various Rome stores. 

Hartman Thron, coal and ice dealer, began business in 1887. His 
ice house, with a capacity of 5,000 tons, is situated on the upper pond 
on Wood Creek. His sons Henry A. and Philip are connected with 
the business. 



MERCANTILE ESTABLISHMENTS, ETC. 235 

W. H. Tyler, a native of Rome and son of T. II. Tyler, began deal- 
ing in and shipping hay, which he carried on a few years prior to 1886. 
In that year he established a milk and cream business and opened his 
well known creamery on Washington street, liesides milk produced 
on a farm of his own, he buys from other producers and delivers to his 
customers. 

J. W. Jeal, dealer in wall paper, paints, etc., and practical painter, 
learned his trade with his brother George and purchased the business 
of the latter in 1892. 

William H. Atkinson was born in Rome in January, 1852, and is a 
son of William Atkinson, of Shrewsbury, England. They were in the 
wholesale and retail clothing business in Rome nearly forty years and 
retired in 1881. 

William Evans and his sons, D. G. and Griffith Evans, have long 
been prominently identified with the meat business. William Evans 
began in 1865 and the two sons came in in 1872. The senior of the 
firm is a native of Wales, and the sons were born in Rome. 

Charles F. Sturtevant, a native of Lewis county, N. Y., came to 
Rome when young with his parents. After engaging for a time in 
fruit trade he went to New York city and served as cashier in a 
wholesale grocery for thirteen years. During the past fifteen years 
he has carried on a large real estate and loan business in Rome. 

Charles H. Saulpaugh has for some years carried on a large whole- 
sale liquor trade in Rome, and is connected with various other interests. 
He was chosen president of the Lee Canning Company when it was 
organized in 1893. 

The meat business of William Binks & Son was established by the 
senior member of the firm many years ago. The son, W. T. Binks, 
became a member of the firm in 1893. He is a Republican in poli- 
tics, was appointed assistant chief of police in 1890, resigned March 
I, 1893, and was appointed overseer of the poor of Rome, March i, 
1895. 



^U OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

George Houck, jr., was born in Verona and came to Rome in 1846 
with his son. He learned the butcher business and started for him- 
self in 1874 on James street. He removed to his present location in 
1892. 

Geoige Scott settled in Rome about 1850 and with the exception of 
ten years spent in New York city has resided here since. In 1874 he 
began dealing in re,al estate and has been identified with that business 
ever since. 

George W. Davis was born in Floyd in January, 1874, and was 
educated in Whitestown Seminary. During fifteen years of his early 
life he was engaged in teaching. A Democrat in politics, Mr. Davis 
was elected justice of the peace of Floyd in 1851 and served twenty 
years. In 1866-7 he was supervisor of his town and upon the organ- 
ization of the city of Rome was elected justice of the peace and has 
held the office ever since. He is a director in the First National 
Bank. 

George W. G. Kinney has carried on a large life and fire insurance 
and brokerage business in Rome since 1867. Previous to that time 
he served as clerk in the Fort Stanwix Bank. He is a Republican 
in politics and served seven years as supervisor of the Fifth ward. 

Edward H. Walworth, son of Jesse Walworth, was born in Rome 
and received a commercial education. Coming to Rome from New 
York in 1889 he opened a school in shorthand on the Munson system, 
which he has since conducted. Since April, 1889, he has also filled the 
position of bookkeeper in the gas office. A Republican in politics, he 
was elected alderman of the First ward in 1894. 

George D. Little came to Rome from Vienna in 1871 and served 
first as clerk in the dry goods store of Williams, Edwards & Co. A 
year later he accepted a position as bookkeeper in the Rome Merchant 
Iron Mills, continuing to 1875. From that time until 1 88 1 he was 
teller in the Farmers' National Bank. Since that time he has occu- 



MERCANTILE ESTABLISHMENTS, ETC. 237 

pied his present position of bookkeeper in the New York Locomotive 
Works. 

Calvin Petrie, son of Glen Petrie, is a native of Rome and received 
his education here. For many years he has been connected with the 
banking institutions of Rome, first as assistant teller in the I'^ort Stan- 
wix Bank and from 1880 to 1888 as teller. From that time until 1894 
he was cashier of the F'irst National Bank, and from there returned to 
the Fort Stanwix as teller, which position he held until the failure of 
that institution. 

J. M. Brainard learned photographing with J. S. Hove}', beginning in 
1870. In 1876 he acquired an interest in the business of his employer, 
and in 1881 purchased the establishment. No more beautiful examples 
of this art are made anywhere than come from this studio. Mr. Brain- 
ard is a Republican, served as alderman of the First ward three years, 
and was appointed by Governor Flower a manager of the Custodial 
Asylum and was reappointed by Governor Morton. 

J. C. Chapman was born in New York city, January 6, 1835. He 
received his education in Waterford, Conn., and joined the merchant 
service as a sailor. Early in the war of the Rebellion he enlisted as an 
officer in the United States Navy and served from August 15, 1861, to 
November 27, 1865. December i, 1866, lie entered the employ of 
the New York Central Railroad and has ever since remained with that 
company, filling responsible positions. 

CONTRACTORS AND BUILDERS. 

W. J. Cramond, a practical stone cutter and mason of long experi- 
ence, began contracting and building in 1871. He has been very 
successful and has had charge of the erection of many prominent 
buildings in Rome and elsewhere. Among them may be mentioned 
the residence of Hon. Jim Stevens, the city hall, two brick blocks for 
J. B. Williams, the Rome jail, etc. 



238 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

William H Davies settled in Rome in 1853 and worked at the car- 
penter's trade for two years. He then went to Canada as draftsman in 
the engineer's office of the Great Western Railroad. Returning to 
Rome in 1859 he became largely employed as contractor, architect and 
builder. Among the prominent structures erected by him are St. 
Mary's St. Peter's and St. Joseph's churches, the Glesmann block and 
the Kingsley block. Mr. Davies has now substantially retired from 
business. 

H. C. Baldwin, contractor and builder, learned his trade with his 
father, Asher Baldwin, who located in Rome about 1836. He erected 
many buildings and died in 1869. Mr. Baldwin has been engaged in 
the construction of many buildings in Rome, especially residences, of 
which he has erected hundreds. 

Albert Bruce, a native of Chenango county, learned the carpenter's 
trade in Cortland county and located in Rome in 1868. He was em- 
ployed fifteen years by the Rome Iron Works as a specialist in the 
erection of furnaces and other structures. He then went to Kansas, 
where members of the same company built iron works, of which he had 
charge. Returning to Rome he was employed on the construction of 
the present brass and copper mills. 

R. A. Putnam, builder and contractor, came to Rome in 1861 and 
has carried on his business here since. Among the many buildings 
erected by him may be mentioned the residences of Charles Rathbun, 
Burt Olney, the Father Murphy parochial residence, the woodwork on 
the Bingham block and many others. Mr. Putnam has also been 
largely engaged in building in other localities outside of Rome. 

L. A. Martin was born in Floyd and moved into the town of Rome 
in 1869 and to the city in 1872. He is now a member of the build- 
ing and contracting firm of Hilts & Martin, his partner being Ezra 
Hilts. Some of the buildings erected by them are the Smith- Corcoran 
block, the Oster block, the residence connected with the Deaf Mute 



MERCANTILE ESTABLISHMENTS, ETC. 239 

Institution, and tiiose of James Ethridge, T. S. Movvry, A. W. Orton, 
George B. Selden, VV. J. Doyle and others. 

The contracting firm of Thomas & Gerwig (J. R. Thomas and J. \V. 
Gerwig) was formed in 1886. Mr. Gerwig learned his trade with his 
father, Frederick Gerwig, deceased. Mr. Thomas is also a practical 
workman and both were formerly in the employ of William H. Davis. 
The firm has had contracts for building many prominent structures 
in Rome and vicinity. 

HOTELS. 

The reader has already learned of the building and proprietorship of 
many of the early hotels of Rome. The old Stanwix Hall has a long 
and interesting record, and its name is familiar throughout the State. 
It is now kept by Samuel Cox, who took it in July, 1 895, succeeding 
Levis & Warner. 

The Commercial Hotel was built by D. B. Prince for Thompson & 
Rovve, who kept it some years, under the name of the Thompson 
House. S. G. Cackett took tlie house in May, 1896, succeeding P. 
McLaughlin. 

The Arlington Hotel block, one of the finest business structures in 
Rome, was built by D. P. McHarg in 1876. He kept it several years 
as a hotel and after various changes in proprietorship it was taken b}^ 
S. Hodge in November, 1893. 

The Mansion House was built by A. J. Sink many years ago and is 
now the property of Mrs. Harriett S. Farr, whose late husband kept 
the house fifteen or more years. It is now managed by George Bing- 
ham. 

The Empire House, now kept by George W. Baynes, was built for a 
dwelling and rebuilt in its present shape in 1880, by Anthony Bane. 

The Temperance Hotel was built in 1885 by Samuel Thalman on 



240 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

the site of a block that was burned. Mr. Thalman is the proprietor of 
the house. 

Besides these there are several smaller hotels in the city, and the 
Willett House, which is the property of Dr. Kingsley, but is not kept 
strictly as a hotel. 




M. CALVIN WHST, M. D. 



THE MASONIC ORDER. 241 



CHAPTER XXIV. 



THE MASONIC ORDER IN ROME.' 



Roman Lodge of Free and accepted Masons, of Rome, was founded 
in 1799. The county of Oneida was formed the year preceding. The 
charter of Roman Lodge bears date February 13, 1799, and was the 
first issued in the new county. Hon. Robert R. Livingston, chancellor 
of the State of New York, was grand master ; Hon. Jacob Morton, dep- 
uty grand master ; Hon. Dewitt Clinton, senior grand warden; Hon. 
Martin Hoffman, junior grand warden ; Hon. John Abrams, grand sec- 
retary. The charter is in an exxellent state of preservation. The sig- 
natures of the grand officers appear upon the charter, excepting only 
that of the grand master. 

The first officers of the lodge and named in the charter were Hon. 
Joshua Hathaway, master ; Dr. Stephen White, senior warden ; Chester 
Gould, junior warden. The lodge number was 82, which was changed 
in 1 8 19 to 79. On March 7, 1799, the officers were installed by Oliver 
Collins, pursuant to the dispensation of the grand master. The lodge 
records from its foundation to 1835 liave been lost, so that compara- 
tively little has been learned with reference to many of the years. There 
were living in Rome in 1799 a number of Masons who were members 
of Amicable Lodge of New Hartford. They doubtless connected them- 
selves with the new lodge, but the fact is not known. Joshua Hatha- 
way was master in 1800; Dr. Thomas Hartwell in 1802 ; Isaac Lee in 
1812; Numa Leonard in 1814-17 ; Daniel Green and Walter Colburn 
between 181 7 and 1823 ; G. W. Gurnley in 1823. 

For many years prior to 1824 the lodge room was located on the top 

' Prepared bv Mr. O. I'. Backus. 
31 



242 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

floor of the Coffee House, a wooden structure located on the site of the 
building which has been for many years known as the Tibbits or 
Mitchell block, and now occupied by Jonas W. Armstrong and Smith 
& Hammann. In 1824 a subscription paper was circulated for the pur- 
pose of purchasing a site and erecting a Masonic hall. The subscription 
paper is in existence and contains twenty-six names. The largest con- 
tributor was Numa Leonard — "$30 in materials and work." The ag- 
gregate of the subscriptions was $240.50. All but $20 of this was paid 
in materials and work, and was given in lumber, lime, iron ware, pro- 
duce, painting, shoemaking and goods. 

As a result of the subscription a lot was purchased of Henry Hunt- 
ington, the title being taken in the name of Numa Leonard, who gave 
a declaration of trust to the lodge. Thereupon the building now stand- 
ing upon the southwest corner of North Washington and Liberty streets 
was erected on that site. The upper floor was used as a lodge room, 
and called first La Fayette Hall and later Masonic Hall. Here lodge 
and chapter met until 1832. The lower floor of the building was occu- 
pied by Zion church until the year last mentioned, when the church 
acquired the title to the premises ; subsequently the Universalist Society 
purchased the property. Numa Leonard was again master of the 
lodge from 1823 to 1826'; Benjamin P.Johnson, 1827; Joseph B. 
Read, 1828 and 1829. 

In 1830 public feeling against Masonry had become so intense be- 
cause of the alleged abduction of one Morgan, that a large number of 
the members dropped their connection with the lodge, which became 
non-selfsustaining. For several years meetings were held, the places 
being kept secret. The store of Alvah Mudge— he being a mem- 
ber—was one of the gathering places. In 1835 the few remaining 
members abandoned the idea of reviving the institution, and the charter 
was declared forfeited by the Grand Lodge. 

Hon. Joshua Hathaway, the first master, was a graduate of Yale 



THE MASONIC ORDER. 243 

College, class of 1787. He served in the Revolution and participated in 
the battle of Bennington. He also served in the war of 181 2 with the 
rank of major, and was in command at Sackett's Harbor for a brief 
period. He was for many yearsjudge of the Court of Common Pleas 
surrogate and postmaster. 

Among the members of the lodge were Hon Samuel Beardsley. He 
married Judge Hathaway 's daughter, became attorney-general, mem- 
ber of congress for several terms, being elected once by a large majority 
over the anti Masonic candidate. He was also a member of the State 
Senate, United States district attorney, and chief justice of the Supreme 
Court. Hon. Chester Hayden was a partner of Judge H. A. Foster; 
he was surrogate of Oswego county, judge of the Oneida Common 
Pleas, and author of a treatise on Practice and Pleading. Col. John 
Westcott commanded the Rome regiment at Sackett's Harbor. Dr. 
H. H. Pope, Hon. Samuel B. Stevens, Hon. Benjamin P. Johnson, rep- 
resented this county in the Assembly for several years ; Senator Wager, 
Gen. Jesse Armstrong, and many others who were prominent in the 
town and county. 

In 1 85 I Masonry had revived to a considerable extent. Hon. Sam- 
uel B. Stevens, Gen. Jesse Armstrong, Joseph D. Gage, James Halbert 
and one or two others who were members prior to 1835, together with 
Hon. A. D. Barbour, Hon. I. S. Parker, James Tillinghast — the latter 
for many years general passenger agent of the R., W. & O. Railroad 
and now living in Buffalo, N. Y. — applied for a charter for Roman 
Lodge, which was granted and numbered 223. The charter was issued 
under the administration of R. Hyde Walworth, chancellor of the 
State of New York, the then grand master. The first officers were 
Selden A Emerson, W. M.; Samuel B. Stevens, S. W.; Solomon 
Purdy, J. W.; William Brockway, S. D.; Justin J. Wells, J. D.; James 
Tillinghast, secretary ; Justus L. Grant, treasurer ; James Halbert, tyler. 

The following were masters from 1853 to the present time: Robin- 



244 OUR. CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

son E. Smiley, 1853-54; Justus L. Grant, 1855-56; Sandford Adams, 
1857-59; R. E. Smiley, i860; William H. Doxtater, 1861-62; G. W. 
Baldwin, 1863; George F. Bicknell, 1864-65; Edward L. Stevens, 
1866; Henry W. Pell, 1867-68; George J. Leach, 1869; Fred E. 
Mitchell, 1870-72; Jerome Dillenbeck, 1873-75; Charles H. Nichol- 
son, 1876-77; Dr. J. J. Barbour, 1878; W. N. Trumpour, 1879; Dr. 
Edwin Evans, 1880-81; Edward Jones, 1882-83; Fred E. Mitchell, 
1884-85; James A. Owens, 1886-90; Albert H. Golley, 1891-92; 
Arthur L, Dale, 1893-94; Charles H. Nicholson, 1895; A. Delos 
Kneeland, 1896. 

The first lodge room was located in the Armstrong block, on the 
southwest corner of South James street and the Erie Canal. Novem- 
ber 5, 1853, the room was destroyed by fire. June 24, 1856, the 
lodge moved into and dedicated a new hall upon the top floor of the 
building so long occupied by the Fort Stanwix Bank and J. H, 
Searles, esq., on the east side of South James street just below Dom- 
inick street. 

June 24, 1857, was Saint John's Day, and was celebrated on a large 
scale. Hon. J. L. Lewis, grand master, delivered an address in the 
Baptist church. A banquet was afterwards given at the American 
Hotel, at which speeches were made by the grand master, and Broth- 
ers D. M. K. Johnson, Stephen Van Dresar, D. A. Ogden, Finlay M. 
King and D. E. Wager. 

On February 14, 1871, the lodge changed its home, removing to 
the commodious quarters in the building on the southwest corner of 
Stone alley and North James street, owned by Hon. Samuel B. 
Stevens. 

February II, 1880, the lodge occupied for the first time the rooms 
in the Glessman-Hower block, now known as Masonic Hall. In Octo- 
ber, 1892, Roman Lodge was duly incorporated under the laws of the 
State. 



THE MASONIC ORDER. 245 

On October 4, 1894, by invitation of the mayor and common coun- 
cil, the Grand Lodge of the State of New York laid the corner stone of 
the City Hall with Masonic ceremonies, the following officers partici- 
pating : John Hodge, ganid master ; Roderick Campbell, deputy 
grand master, pt.; Charles E Ide, grand junior warden ; A. D. Kneeland, 
grand senior deacon, pt. ; H. C. Wiggins, grand junior deacon, pt. ; 
Charles W. Cushman, grand marshal ; Fred E. Mitchell, grand sword 
bearer, pt. ; J. R. Chamberlain, grand steward ; O. P. Backus, grand 
steward, pt. ; D. F. Searle, grand standard bearer, pt. ; J. C. Skinner, 
grand tiler; E. L. Stevens, grand secretary, pt. ; A. J. Wilkinson, grand 
treasurer ; Rev. J. H. Egar, grand chaplain, pt. 

Before the ceremonies a large parade occurred, nearly six hundred 
Masons being in line. Rome Commandery No, 45 Knights Templar 
acted as an escort to the Grand Lodge. The grand master delivered 
an address, and was followed by Hon. D. E. Wager, a former member 
of Roman Lodge, who delivered a highly interesting and instructive 
historical discourse. 

Rome Chapter No. 102 R. A. M., Fort Stainuix Chapter No. 153 
R. A. M. — February 5, 1825, Rome Chapter No. 102 of Royal Arch 
Masons received a charter from the Grand Chapter, in which were ap- 
pointed Benjamin P. Johnson, high priest ; Daniel Green, king ; Ben- 
jamin Rudd, scribe. 

February 21, 1825, a procession was formed and proceeded to the 
Presbyterian church, where an address was delivered by Companion 
Rev. David Morris, pastor of the Baptist -church, and the chapter dedi- 
cated in due and ancient form by the Most Excellent (Rev.) Ezra S. 
Crozier, grand scribe of the Grand Chapter. 

July 26, 1826, Hon. Benjamin P. Johnson, the M. E. high priest, 
offered the following preamble and resolution : 

Whereas, Intelligence has been received of the decease of those illustrious patri- 
ots, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, who, in "the times that tried men's souls," 



24G OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

dared to pledge their "lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor," rather than 
submit to a foreign yoke; therefore, 

Resolved, As a testimony of our respect for the memory, the virtues and services 
of these distinguished patriotic individuals, the members of this chapter will wear 
crape on the left arm for one month. 

September 13, 1826, the cornerstone of the Baptist church on Stan- 
wix street was laid with Masonic ceremonies. Masons assembled from 
the surrounding country, resulting in a very large procession. Hon. 
Benjamin P. Johnson acted as grand master; E. Companion Silas Cor- 
nish as deputy grand master. An address was delivered by Rev. David 
Morris. 

The chapter was very vigorous for several years, but finally succumbed 
to the prejudices of the community about 1832. 

The following were the high priests of the chapter: Benjamin P. 
Johnson, 1825-27-30 ; Silas Cornish. 1828-29; Numa Leonard, 1831. 

October 20, 1855, J. D. Gage and I. S. Parker, old members of 
Rome Chapter No. 102, with Sanford Adams, esq., Hon. A. D. Bar- 
bour, C H. White, Rev. H. C, Vogell, J. L. Grant, and A. C. Brower, 
petitioned the Grand Chapter for the issuance of a charter to a \\&\n 
body, to be known as Fort Stanwix Royal Arch Chapter. A dispen- 
sation was granted on November 19, 1855, and a charter issued Febu- 
ary 6, 1856. 

Robinson E. Smiley was the first high priest, 1855-58; Sanford 
Adams, 1859; George F. Bicknell, 1860-62; D. M. K. Johnson, 
1863 ; D. L. Boardman, 1863; Orrin Root, 1865-67; H. S. Bedell, 
1868-72; F. E. Mitchell, 1873-81, 1887-89; Martin VV. Smith, 
1882 83; William Thom, 1884-86; W. J. Cramond, 1890; James A. 
Owens, 1891-92 ; John Jones, 1893-94; Dr. W. F. Tremain, 1895-96. 

Rome Commandery No. 45, Knights Templar, — January 26, 1869, a 
dispensation was granted to organize Rome Commandery, and October 
6th of that year, a charter was issued to it by the Grand Commandery. 



THE MASONIC ORDER. 2i: 



The following have been E. commanders since its organization : Sir 
Henry W. Pell, Sir Jerome Graves, Sir George J. Leach, Sir Fred E. 
Mitchell, Sir Edward L. Stevens, Sir Edwin Evans, Sir James A. 
Owens, Sir Albert II. Golley. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 



DANIEL WARDWELL. 

The Wardwell family in America descends from a name prominent in the early 
days of the Massachusetts colony and in Revolutionary times, and numbers among 
its members many representatives who have been conspicuous in State and Nation. 
William Wardwell, who was born in England in 1604, immigrated to this country 
with the Pilgrims and became a member of the first Congregational church of Bos- 
ton, which was organized in 1633. His son Urial, born in February, 1639, settled in 
the town of Bristol, R. I., in 1681, and married Grace Giddings, by whom he had a 
son John, who married Phebe, daughter of Samuel Rowland, on October 11, 1741. 
Samuel Rowland was born in Bristol, R. I., May 24, 1686, and on May 6, 1708, was 
married by Rev. Mr. Sparhawk to Abigail Gary. Mr. Rowland's father, Jabez, born 
in 1649, was a very active and enterprising officer under Captain Church in King 
Philip's war, and in 1681, after the conquest of Mount Hope, settled in Bristol. Re 
was a son of John Rowland, who married Elizabeth, daughter of John Carver, the 
first governor of Massachusetts. John Rowland and Governor Carver were both 
members of the immortal band of Pilgrims who came over in the good ship Mayflower 
and landed on Plymouth Rock on December 22, 1620. The children of John and 
Phebe (Rowland) Wardwell were John, born in June, 1742, married Sally Swan ; 
Nathaniel, born March 29, 1744; Joseph, born March 21, 1747, married Betsey May; 
Phebe, born January 23, 1749, married James Smith ; Susannah, born January 15, 
1751, married Daniel Gladding; Mary (Mrs. Sanford Munroe and afterwards Mrs. 
Jonah Smith) and Elizabeth, twins, born January 6, 1753; Samuel, born April 25, 
1755; Tabitha, born November 25, 1757, married Samuel Bosworth; Daniel, born 
March 29, 1760, died at sea; Allen Gary, born June 5, 1752; and Allen, born March 
1, 1765, married Abigail Smith. Of this large family Joseph, the third, served in the 
General Assembly of Rhode Island in 1803. An ardent patriot during the Revolu- 
tion his name appears in a list of subscribers to a fund raised by the people of Bristol, 
R. I., for the relief of the sufferers in Boston caused by the enforcement of the Bos- 
ton port bill. Samuel, the eighth, was a member of the Rhode Lsland Assembly in 
1791-93, 1793-97, 1809, and 1810, or nine years in all. Subsequent assemblymen 
bearing the name were Nathaniel in 1821-23, Rezekiah C. in 1849-51, and William 
T. C. in 1870-71 and 1875. The latter was State senator in 1872. 

Samuel Wardwell, above mentioned, father of Judge Daniel Wardwell, enlisted at 
the age of twenty in the Rhode Island militia and served two years in the Revolu- 
tionary war, being taken prisoner by the British and confined in a prison ship in 



4 ' OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

New York. After the war he became prominent in the military service of Rhode 
Island. In June, 1794, a charter was granted to the Bristol Train of Artillery, the 
charter members being Mr. Wardwell, William De Wolfe, Samuel V. Peck, and John 
Bradford, and at the first election of officers on April 7, 1796, Samuel Wardwell was 
chosen captain with rank in the militia of lieutenant-colonel. This company, by its 
charter, was made independent of all regiments; when in active service it was to be 
under the command of the governor of the State only. Its members, which, exclusive 
of officers, "must not exceed sixty-four in number," were exempted from bearing 
arms or doing military duty in the militia of the State. In 1797 two brass field- 
pieces, said to have been captured from the British at the surrender of Burgoyne. 
were presented to the cor pany by the State, " to be fired on all public occasions," 
and they are still used for tue purposes specified. Col. Samuel Wardwell, under the 
firm name of Bourne & Wardwell, was also prominently identified with the commerce 
of Bristol prior to the beginning of this century. The firm owned at one time forty- 
two vessels and for many years carried on an extensive shipping business. The 
year Oneida county was formed (1798) Colonel Wardwell purchased in one body 4,000 
acres of land in the town of Ellisburg (now Jefferson) then in the county of Oneida. 
This purchase included the site of the present village of Mannsville. In 1812 he set- 
tled at what is known as the "Ridge" in Rome, N. Y., where were then located a 
grist mill and saw mill. There he purchased 285 acres of land, tore away the old 
grist mill and erected a new one (on the site of the Rome water works), which stood 
until 1868. In 1815 he sold forty acres and the business part of the " Ridge Mills" 
to David Driggs, and the remainder of his land to the grandfather of the late Dr. M. 

Calvin West. 

The children of Col. Samuel and Lydia (Wardwell) Wardwell were Nathaniel, born 
September 20, 1778, married Dolly Fales, and died in Ellisburg, N. Y., November 
16, 1857 ; Nancy, born September 25, 1780, married John M. Bourne, and died at 
Providence, R. I., in 1856; Jonathan, born January 30, 1783, died at sea in 1805; 
Sarah, born January 21, 1785, married Thomas Peckham ; Lydia, born September 10, 
1786, married Allen Smith; Samuel, born June 14, 1788, married Hannah Monroe, 
and died at Mannsville, N. Y., in 1857; Mary, born November 28, 1789, married 
Joseph C. Wood, and died at Elhsburg, N. Y., in June, 1819; Daniel the subject of 
this memoir, hereafter mentioned; Henry, born July 9, 1792, was made lieutenant 
on board the privateer "Yankee" in October, 1814, in the war of 1812-15, and died 
at Havana, Cuba, in August, 1816; Abby, 1st, born September 17, 1793, died in in- 
fancy; AblDy, 2d, born December 31, 1794, married Henry Wright; and three who 
died in infancy. 

Hon. Daniel Wardwell was born in Bristol, R. I., May 28. 1791, was graduated 
■ from Brown University in his native State in 1811, and in 1812 removed with his 
father to Rome, Oneida county, where he entered the law office of Judge Joshua 
Hathaway, one of the pioneer lawyers of Fort Stanwix. In 1813 Mr. Wardwell be- 
came a student in the office of Gold & Sill, of Whitesboro; in 1814 he was admitted 
to the Court of Common Pleas in Jeflerson county; and in January. 1815, he was 
admitted to the Supreme Court as attorney. In those years he was residing m 
Adams and Ellisburg, looking after the large landed interests and other property of 
his father in that part of Jefferson county. In 1816 he became a resident of Rome 
village, where he practiced his profession during that year and 1817. He then re- 



BIOGRAPHICAL, 5 

turned to Jefferson county and remained until 1H21, when, in January, be was ad- 
mitted to the Supreme Court as counselor. Early in 1821 he opened a law office in 
Utica and in August was admitted as counselor to the U. S. District Court. In 1823 
he took up his permanent residence in Mannsville, N. Y., where he and his brother- 
in-law, Major H. B. Mann, erected a large cotton factory, which was totally de- 
stroyed by fire in 1827, when just ready to begin operation. Its destruction entailed 
a loss to the owners of $10,000. 

In 1824 Mr. Ward well was appointed by Governor Yates side judge of Jefferson 
county, where he was elected to the Assembly in 1825, 1826, and 1827. In 1826 he 
caused considerable commotion in Albany, New York, and the river counties by in- 
troducing and advocating in the Assembly a resolution favoring the removal of the 
State capital to Utica or some other central point. In 1828 there was great political 
and anti-Masonic excitement in this State. Gen. Andrew Jacks* n was running for 
president, De Witt Clinton for governor, and Judge Daniel Ward. -^11 for State sena- 
tor — all strong Masons high in the order. It w-as one of the anti-Masonic years. 
The State was then divided into eight districts, with four senators from each district, 
and one senator was elected in each district every year. The Fifth district then 
comprised the counties of Oneida, Jefferson, Herkimer, Lewis, Madison, and Oswego. 
The term of Charles Dayan, of Lewis county, as senator, expired, and in 1828 Judge 
Daniel Wardwell and William H. Maynard, of Utica, were opposing nominees. Mr. 
Mavnard was one of the brightest legal luminaries of the Oneida county bar ; the 
anti-Masons endorsed him; and as Judge Wardwell was never afraid to " wear his 
principles on his coat sleeve," he was defeated by about 300. In return the Jefferson 
county congressional district elected him to Congress for three successive terms, be- 
ginning in 1830. He had as his colleague during his entire congressional service his 
first fellow law student, Hon. Samuel Beardsley, with whom he retained a warm 
personal and political friendship for many years; especially during Andrew Jackson's 
stormy administration, of w-hich they were staunch supporters, both being warm 
personal friends of the president. Judge Wardwell was elected for the fourth time 
from Jefferson county in 1837, and that year w-as a member of the committee on ways 
and means. In 1860 be removed to Rome, where he died, universally respected, in 
March, 1878. 

In poHtics Judge Wardwell was a staunch Democrat of the Jacksouian school until 
the division of the Democracy in 1848, when he affiliated with the " Free Soil " wing. 
In 1856 he was a delegate to the Pittsburg convention which nominated John C. Fre- 
mont for president, and ever after was as firm a Republican as he had been a Dem- 
ocrat m the palmy days of " Old Hickory." Judge Wardwell was not a legal advo- 
cate, nor did he engage to any extent in the argument of causes in courts; but he 
was a good, sound lawyer and a safe counselor, one whose judgment and legal advice 
were sought after by a large clientage and always relied upon as entirely safe to fol- 
low. He was wndely known and esteemed, not only for his profound knowledge of 
the law% but also for his many attributes of head and heart. His integrity was never 
questioned. As a legislator he always labored con.scientiously and unceasingly 
for the interests of his constituents and fully merited the trust and confidence 
which he received at their hands. He was kind, generous, and indulgent to the 
poor, a friend whose advice and counsel were often sought, and a man upon whom 
was placed the utmost reliance. 



6 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Judge Wardwell was married at Whitesboro, N. Y., on July 20, 1815, by the Rev. 
John Frost, to Miss Hetty Mann, daughter of Hon. Newton Mann (whose sketch ap- 
pears in this work). She was born at Attleboro, Mass., December 16, 1796, and died 
at Mannsville, N. Y., September 38, 1858. Their children were Abby Mann, born 
April 11, 1817, married Robert B. Doxtater, and died in 1884 (Mr. Doxtater was the 
iirst superinti-ndent of the Rome and Watertown railroad and held that position until 
his election as president of the Michigan Southern railroad ; while riding over that line, 
attending to his duties, he was stricken with apoplexy, and died suddenly at La Porte, 
Ind., May 15, 1853, aged thirty-nine years, at the early dawn of a bright and auspicious 
future); Henry, born July 11, 1819, deceased; Newton Mann, born February 12, 1821, 
married, first, Elizabeth Jones, deceased, and second, Mrs. Antoinette (Waite) Sutton ; 
Samuel, born November 14, 1822, admitted to the bar in 1847, married Mary A. Stillman 
in 1848, and now cashier of the Farmers National Bank of Rome ; Julia Doolittle, born 
January IB, 1828, died June 11, 1831; Charles Carroll, born December 4, 1829, died 
May 7, 1859; William Wilberforce, born January 15, 1834, married in January, 1860, 
Elizabeth W. Smith, and now a leading hardware merchant in Rome; John How- 
land, born December 29, 1837, married Cornelia Comstock ; and Edward Herbert, 
born April 28, 1841 married, first, Josephine Hitchcock, of Utica, deceased, and 
second her sister Harriet. October 4, 1859, Judge Wardwell married for his second 
wife, at Adams, N. Y., Letitia W. Smith, who survives him and resides in Rome. 



NEWTON MANN. 

The family of this name in America descends in an unbroken line from William 
Mann, youngest child of Sir Charles Mann, who was born in England in 1607. At 
a very early day in the history of the Massachusetts colony William Mann immi- 
grated to this country and settled in Cambridge, where he married, first, Mary 
Jarred in 1643 and, second, Alice Tiel on June 11, 1657, and where he died in 
1662. Rev. Samuel Mann, his only son, was born there July 6, 1647, was grad- 
uated from Harvard College in 1665, and soon afterward was ordained to the min- 
istry and settled over the Congregational church in Wrentham, where he remained 
until his death, May 32, 1719. He is recorded as both a "learned minister and a 
great man," and was the paternal ancestor of Horace Mann, the celebrated New 
England educator, whose statue graces the State House in Boston. May 19, 16 "3, 
he married Esther Ware, of Dedham, and among their children was Samuel, jr.. 
who was born August 18, 1675, married Zipporah Billings, and died in 1732. Samuel 
Mann, jr., had thirteen children, of whom the youngest son. Dr. Bezaleel Mann, 
was born at Attleboro, Mass., June 15, 1724, and died there October 3, 1796; his 
wife, Bede Carpenter, died in 1793. Dr. Mann was an eminent physician and 
amassed large wealth. He was an active and influential patriot during the Revolu- 
tionary war, a member of the Committee of Safety, judge of the Superior Court of 
Attleboro, and a member of the committee to report upon the first constitution sub- 
mitted to the people of Massachusetts. His children were Dr. Preston Mann, a 
graduate of Brown University and a skillful physician in Newport, R. I., where he 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 7 

entertained Washington and La Fayette during the Revolution ; Dr. J. Milton Mann, 
also a graduate of Brown University, a physician in Attleboro, Mass., and later in 
Troy, N. Y., and drowned in the Hudson River; Mary, who married Josiah Draper 
and was the mother of Virgil Draper, whose portrait and biography appear in this 
work; Dr. Herbert Mann, a graduate of Brown University, surgeon on the privateer 
General Arnold during the Revolutionary war, and frozen to death at sea; Newton 
Mann, the subject of this memoir, subsequently mentioned; and Eunice, who mar 
ried Dr. Seth Capron, who was graduated from Brown University, studied medicine 
with her father, and served in the war of the Revolution. 

Newton Mann was born in Attleboro, Mass., in 1770, and inherited all the noble 
attributes of mind and body which distinguished his scholarly ancestors. He early 
imbibed those underlying principles of manhood that characterize the respected 
citizen. His education was obtained in his native town where he remained till 
about 1806, when he came with Dr. Seth Capron and his family and the widow of 
Dr. J. Milton Mann and her children to Whitesboro, Oneida county, N. Y., for the 
purpose of engaging in the manufacture of cotton goods, which Dr. Capron had 
closely studied in New England. With Dr. Capron, Benjamin S. Walcott, Theo- 
dore Sill.i and Thomas R. Gold, he at once organized a stock company and erected 
on Sanquoit Creek, on the site of the present New York Mills, the first cotton factory 
in this State. Mr. Mann was the principal .stockholder. The Oriskany Woolen 
Mill was subsequently incorporated with a capital of §200,000 by Chief Justice Am- 
brose Spencer, Jovis Piatt, William G. Tracy, Thomas R. Gold, Theodore Sill, Mr. 
Mann, and De Witt Clinton. This company imported large numbers of merino 
sheep from Spain, many of them costing as high as $600 and $1,000 each. These 
sheep were kept in the vicinity of the village, mainly on the opposite side of the 
Mohawk River, and one of their farms was called " Mount Merino." The com- 
pany continued business several years and prospered until the peace of 1815 
opened our markets to a flood of importations Before the year 1825 Mr. Mann 
withdrew from both enterprises and moved with his family to Mannsville, Jefferson 
county, a village named from his son, Major Herbert B. Mann, who in partnership 
with Judge Daniel Wardwell (whose portrait and biography appear m this work) 
erected a large cotton mill there, which was burned in 1827, when ready to begin 
operation. There Newton Mann resided the remainder of his life, dying April 11, 
1860, at the age of ninety years. 

Mr. Mann was an old line Whig of pronounced convictions, but never sought nor 
accepted public office. An uncompromising Abolitionist himself he was a warm per- 
sonal friend of Gerrit Smith, Alvin Stewart, and other noted anti-slavery advocates, 
and during the great abolition movement which swept over the country prior to the 
Rebellion he was a powerful and an active factor. For many years he was in- 
timately acquainted with the " underground railroad ;" his house in Mannsville be- 
came a noted "station," and he personally assisted in passing large numbers of 
slaves on to Canada. He was a devout Christian and a member of the Congrega- 
tional church, and throughout life manifested a lively interest in all charitable and 
benevolent objects, to which he liberally contributed. Kind-hearted, enterprising, 
and sagacious he merited and retained the confidence, respect, and esteem of his 

< Tlieodore Sill married Eliza, daughter of Dr. J. Milton Mann, and they were the grand- 
parents of Edward Comstock, of Rome, whose portrait appears in this volume. 



8 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

fellowmen and bore the highest reputation for honesty, integrity, and moral upright- 
ness. He was a good business man, a shrewd investor, and an able financier, and 
realized handsome profits from his various investments. 

Mr. Mann was married in 1795 to Miss Abigail, daughter of Josiah Maxcey, grand- 
daughter of Lieut. Josiah Maxcey, of Attleboro, Mass., and sister of the Rev. 
Jonathan Maxcey, D.D., successively president of Brown University, Union College, 
and the College of South Carolina. She was born in Attleboro in 1766 and died at 
Mannsville, N. Y., November 17, 1860. Lieut. Josiah Maxcey, an officer in the old 
French war, was the owner of a slave named Csesar, whose tombstone is standing 
in the graveyard at North Attleboro, Mass., and upon it appears the following 
epitaph, which has been reproduced in most of the magazines of the country: 

Here lies the best of slaves, 

Now turning into dust; 
Csesar, the Ethiopian, craves 

A place among the just; 
His faithful soul has fled * 

To realms of heavenly light, 
And, by the blood of Jesus shed, 

Is changed from black to white; 
January 15th he quitted the stage. 
In the 77th year of his age. 
1780. 

Mr. Mann was a person of magnificent appearance, endowed with a large but 
graceful physique, and in stature represented almost perfect manhood. Well- 
developed, dignified, and of elegant and commanding physical proportions, he was 
a typical gentleman of the old school. The likeness of him reproduced in this vol- 
ume was taken when he had reached the age of eighty-five. At his wedding in 1795 
he wore a blue broadcloth coat with crimson velvet collar falling below the point of 
the shoulders, a drab waist-coat and knee breeches, silk hose, low shoes with buckles 
containing French paste stones, and hair braided m a cue and powdered. His bride 
was attired in a peach-blow satin dress trimmed with brocaded satin, blue satin 
petticoat, peachblow silk hose, white slippers, and lace. These were elegant but 
not unusual costumes for those early days, and indicate the high and dignified posi- 
tions their wearers occupied in society. Mr. and Mrs. Mann's married life of sixty- 
five years was an uninterrupted course of domestic peace and happiness. Their love 
and afEection were simple, pure, and ardent, unmarred by the slightest infelicity, and 
graced by a constant and consistent devotion as beautiful as it was enduring. They 
were almost inseparable, especially during the latter years of their lives, and always 
found the highest enjoyment in each other's society. Their children were Major 
Herbert B., who married Julia Uoolittle and was the father of the late Dr. John 
Preston Mann, the celebrated specialist of New York city ; Hetty, who married Judge 
Daniel Wardwell, whose portrait and biography appear in the present volume ; and 
Abby Maxcey, who married Dr. Roswell Kinney, of Mannsville, N. Y. 



ALFRED ETHRIDGE. 

Alfred Ethridgk was born in Little Falls, N. Y., July 29, 1817, and is of English 
descent. His father, James Ethridge, was a hat manufacturer in Little Falls, sub- 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 9 

sequently a farmer in Ihe town of Herkimer, and latterly a hat maker in Herkimer 
village. Alfred Ethridge left home at the age of nine and spent four years on a 
farm ; he was then at home for three years and the following year began learning 
the cabinet maker's trade. He then became a clerk in a grocery store in Utica at $5 
per month and board, but after one year accepted a clerkship with Dygert & North- 
rup, merchants, of Frankfort, N. Y., where he remained four years. During the 
next two years he was manager in charge of the store of Root, Berry & Co., in that 
village — a firm having large contracts on the Erie Canal enlargement. At the end 
of that period he formed a partnership with his old employer, Willet Northrup, under 
the style of Northrup & Ethridge, and continued the mercantile business over which 
he had presided as manager until 1844. During his early career Mr. Ethridge's edu- 
cation was necessarily limited to the practical affairs of life. He spent very little 
time in schools. Thrown upon his own resources, without a dollar, but endowed 
with pluck and native energy, he forged ahead and succeeded in accumulating a 
little capital. With this and his natural qualifications he engaged in business, which 
from the first proved generally successful. 

In 1844 the firm of Northrup & Ethridge removed their goods to Rome and started 
trade on the east side of James street, just south of the canal, where they were 
burned out in January 1856, when the copartnership was dissolved. Mr. Ethridge 
succeeded to the business and opened a store on the northeast corner of James and 
Dominick streets, known as the Merrell Block, where he continued till about 1865. 
In the latter year he erected the present Ethridge block, on the corner of Dominick 
and South Washington streets, and moved into it. After .several years Ackley P.Tuller 
became his partner under the style of A. Ethridge & Co., and later Erwin C. Carpen- 
ter was admitted to the firm. In 1875 Mr. Ethridge's eldest son, Franklin A., was 
given an interest and soon afterward the name of Ethridge, Tuller & Co., was 
adopted. January 1, 1879, the firm dissolved, Messrs. Tuller and Carpenter retir- 
ing. The concern was reorganized by Mr. Ethridge and his son, Franklin A., imder 
the style of Alfred Ethridge & Co., and two years later a younger son, James M., 
was admitted. Since then the firm has remained unchanged. The business as 
originally started consisted of a general assortment of goods for the retail trade. 
Finally a jobbing business w^as gradually built up, and about 1875 it became exclu- 
sively a wholesale industry, wath groceries, canned goods, coffees, etc., as leading 
specialties. Their trade has developed from modest proportions until now it reaches 
out into a wide area of the State and into adjoining States. 

Mr. Ethridge was originally a Whig and later a Republican, and for many years 
took an active part in local politics. For a time he was a member of the board oi 
supervisors, but otherwise never accepted public office. He was elected supervisor 
against a strong Democratic opponent in the Democratic stronghold at Rome. He 
always manifested a keen interest in the advancement of the city and contributed in 
various ways towards its material prosperity, and especially to charitable and benevo- 
lent objects. Enterprising, sagacious, and public spirited, he has throughout a long 
and successful career retained the confidence and respect of everyone with whom he 
has had business or social relations. He was one of the founders and directors of 
the Merchants Iron Mill, and for several years was interested in many other corpora- 
tions. 

Mr. Ethridge was married November 5, 1851, to Miss Abby Murdock House, whose 

B 



iO OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

father, Leonard, son of Eleazer and Abigail (Moseley) House, was born at Glaston- 
bury, Conn., August 24, 1787, and died at Houseville, N. Y., December 23, 1879. 
Her mother, Louisa Murdock, was born in Sandgate, Vt., January 12, 1788, married 
Mr. House on December 28, 1809, and died at Houseville, N. Y., July 6, 1870. Mrs. 
Ethridge was born July 10, 1824. Mr. and Mrs. Ethridge had four children: Frank- 
lin Alfred, Isabella (born April 1, 1856, died February 29, 1872), James Murdock, and 
George. 



M. CALVIN WEST, M. D. 

The West family, of whom the subjectof this memoir was a worthy representative, 
is of English origin, and for generations imbibed the noble characteristics of their 
mother country. John West, sr. , born in Shaftsbury, Vt., April 25, 1770, settled m 
the town of Western, Oneida county, N. Y., in 1790, and there his son, John, jr., 
was born December 26, 1796. In 1816 the family moved to Rome, N. Y., where the 
pioneer John died July 28, 1834. His wife, Harriet Stephens, whom he married 
January 26, 1792, was born in Connecticut on November 11, 1768, and died August 
21, 1818. They had ten children, four sons and six daughters, of whom John, jr., 
was the fourth child and oldest son. November 26, 1821, John West, jr., married 
Mary J., daughter of John Driggs, who was born in Stafford, Conn., January 22, 
1800,- and who died January 30, 1882. Mr. Driggs came to Rome in 1804 and en- 
gaged in the manufacture of woolen goods, having a satinet factory at "Ridge 
Mills,' and also operated grain and lumber mills until his death in 1855. Mr. West 
died February 6, 1860. 

Dr. M. Calvin West, youngest son of John jr., and Mary (Driggs) West, was born 
in Rome on the 11th of September, 1834, and obtained his education in the district 
schools and Rome Academy, graduating from the latter institution at the age of 
eighteen. For a few years thereafter he assisted his father in agricultural pursuits, 
but his inclinations soon took a professional turn. In 1857 he went to Hagerstown, 
Ind., and read medicine in the office of his paternal uncle, Dr. Calvin West^ In 
1860 he was graduated with the degree of M. D. from the Medical Department of 
the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, and during the following year continued 
his scientific and clinical studies with his uncle at Hagerstown. In the fall of 1861 
he began the active practice of his profession in Floyd, Oneida county, where he 
remained until 1863, when he settled permanently in Rome. While in Indiana he 
was a prominent member and for a time president of the Wayne County Medical 
Society, and prepared and read before that body a practical paper on " Hypodermic 
Injection," which was published in the Cincinnati Lancet. He was an active mem- 
ber of the Oneida County Medical Societ)^ a delegate to the New York State Med- 
ical Society, a member of the New York State Medical Association, and a permanent 
member of the American Medical Association. In 1865 and 1866 he was one of the 

1 Dr. Calvin West, born in Western. Oneida county, August 9, 180G, became a prominent phy- 
sician in Indiana and a surgeon in the Union army in the war of the Rebellion, and died at Hagers- 
town on August 25, 18G3. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 11 

faculty of Rome Academy and delivered a series of lectures on physiology and kin- 
dred subjects. 

Dr. West was a physician of high standing and rare ability, and enjoyed an ex- 
tensive practice. He possessed a cheerful and restful personality, an underlying 
current of humor, a keen discrimination, a large fund of information, and a sense of 
justice which carried the weight of conviction. Tenacious of friendship and en- 
dowed with great kindness of heart, he won universal respect and the confidence 
of all with whom he came in contact; careful, shrewd, and wise in business affairs 
he was generally successful in everything he attempted. He early won professional 
recognition from his associates and esteem from all classes of citizens and held them 
to the end. His advice and counsel were often sought. He was thoroughly iden- 
tified with the prosperity and advancement of the city of Rome and always took a 
lively interest in public affairs. In July, 1881, he was made a member by Mayor 
Comstock of the first board of fire commissioners and in October following he was 
elected a commissioner of the Rome free schools, and held each position three years, 
being president of the board of education a part of the tiine. He was physician to 
the county poor house during the term of Superintendent Theodore S. Comstock, 
was long a director in the Central National Bank, and in January, 1891, became 
president of the Rome and Carthage Railroad Company, a position he held at the 
time of his death, which occurred in Rome on October 20, 1891. He was also a 
member of Rome Lodge, No. 266, I. O. O. F., and trustee of the First M. E. church 
of this city. 

Dr. West was married November 6, 1861, to Miss Felicia H. Williams, daughter of 
Jesse Williams, the father of the cheese factory system in America and the proprie- 
tor of the first cheese factory in Oneida county. Their children were Olive D., 
Jessie J., Dr. Calvin B., F. May and Florence Mary. Dr. Calvin B, West, born in 
Rome, March 29, 1867, was graduated from the Rome Academy in 1885 and from 
Phillips Academy at Andover, Mass., in 1886, spent three years in Amherst College, 
and was graduated with the degree of M. D. from the College of Physicians and 
Surgeons of New York city in 1893. After filling the position of house physician and 
surgeon to the Paterson General Hospital one year he came to Rome in August, 
1894, and began the active practice of his profession. 



JOHN STRYKER. 

In the early history of New Amsterdam the name of Stryker appears somewhat 
conspicuously in connection with numerous offices of trust and responsibility. It is 
found in the lists of high sheriffs, and in government councils as well as in business and 
commercial enterprises, and invariably commanded wide respect and confidence. 
Originally of Holland Dutch etymology. Van Strycker, it came in time to be 
Americanized and contracted into Stryker, the form under which several genera- 
tions have flourished and prospered. Very early in the settlement of New Amster- 
dam Jan and Jacobus Gerritson Strycker, Dutch burghers, obtained a grant of land on 
Manhattan Island, and from them descends the families bearing the name in this 



12 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

country at the present time. The line from Jan (1) is Pieter Strj^cker (2), Jan Strycker 
(3), Pieter Strycker (4), John Stryker (5), Daniel Perrine Stryker (6), and John Stryker 
(7), the subject of this memoir. October 25, 1673, Jan Strycker (3) was chosen 
captain of a company that was raised in the town of Midwout (Flushing), to respond 
to the call for troops issued by Governor Stuyvesant to resist the encroachments of 
the British. In 1773 John Stryker (5) was commissioned captain of a troop of light 
horse cavalry in Somerset county, N. J., and when the Revolutionary war broke out 
he offered his services to his native State. He fought with his company all through 
the Revolution. In 1863 his lineal descendant, John Stryker, jr., became a captain 
of New York State volunteers in the war of the Rebellion. Daniel Perrine Stryker 
(6), a merchant in New York city, married Harriet Pierson and had three sons and 
two daughters, of whom the last two and one son died young. Those who attained 
maturity were John (7) and Rev. Isaac Pierson Stryker. The latter is a retired 
Presbyterian clergyman residing in New Jersey and the father of Melancthon Woolsey 
Stryker, president of Hamilton College. 

Hon. John Stryker (7) was born in Orange, N. J., December 7, 1808. His father 
died a few years later and at the age of seven his mother brought him to White.sboro, 
Oneida county, N. Y., where he received his education in the local academy. He 
began active life as a clerk for William G. Tracy, a leading merchant of Whitesboro, 
but soon developed decided inclinations for a professional career. He read law with 
Thomas R. Gold and later in the office of Storrs & White, and was admitted to the 
Oneida Common Pleas in 1829, before he had reached his majority. In the same year 
he came to Rome, N. Y., and formed a copartnership with AUanson Bennett. Sub- 
sequently he was associated in the practice of law with Hons. Henry A. Foster, 
Calvert Comstock, Charles Tracy, B. J. Beach, George H. Lynch, and others. In 
1835 he was elected member of assembly. In 1837 he was appointed surrogate of 
the county and held that office ten consecutive years, or until the constitution 
of 1846 made it elective. In 1847 he discontinued the practice of law, in which he 
had been very successful, and thenceforward devoted his attention to building 
up railroads and other important enterprises. He was one of the original movers in 
the Utica and Syracuse railroad project, was the first attorney for the company, was 
one of its directors until the lines were consolidated, and was largely instrumental in 
securmg its location through Rome and in defeating the attempt to locate it through 
the southern part of the county. Afterward he was closely identiffed with many 
railway lines, including the Michigan Southern and Northern Indiana, the Terre 
Haute and Alton, and others, pushing them to completion and placing the corporations 
upon a sound working basis. He was engaged extensively in railroad operations 
until the fall of 1867, when he suffered a stroke of paralysis. He died at his home 
in Rome on April 30, 1885. 

Mr. Stryker was a shrewd business man and investor, one of the foremost railroad 
financiers of his time, and intimately associated with such noted men as Samuel J. 
Tilden, Erastus Corning, Dean Richmond, and others in railway projects. His 
counsel and advice were regarded as reliable, his word was as good as his bond. A 
man of great business capacity and of unswerving integrity he retained through life 
the respect and confidence of every one who knew him. He was heavily interested 
in numerous local corporations and landed investments, and being public spirited and 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 13 

enterprising always took a just pride in the prosperity of the city. lie was one of 
the founders of the Rome Locomotive Works, one of the incorporators and a director 
of the Merchants Iron Mill, a director in the Rome Iron Works, and one of the 
originators and for some time president of the Rome Gas Light Company. He was 
a director in several banks and for many years officiated as president of the old Bank 
of Rome. He was one of the founders of the Deaf Mute Institute of Rome, and was 
especially active and influential in securing the Black River Canal and in changing 
the course of the Erie Canal for the benefit of the city. 

In politics Mr. Stryker was a life-long Democrat, and during many years enjoyed 
a wide and intimate acquaintance among all the noted politicians of the United States, 
and especially among such men as James K. Polk, Gov. William L. Marcy, Governor 
Seymour, Governor Bouck, Edwin Croswell, Silas Wright, and other equally prominent 
statesmen of the country. He was remarkably familiar with political history. His 
shrewd management as a leading politician was manifest far and near, especially in 
the county of Oneida, where he practically controlled his party's operations. He was 
long the center of the famous "Rome Regency," which represented the prmcipal 
Democratic influence in this section in its time. But he did not seek office; he pre- 
ferred to manage politics and direct his party's movements, for which he had a 
natural taste and ability and in which he was eminently successful. He probably 
attended more district, county, state, and national conventions than any other man 
of his day in New York. He was a delegate to twelve state and four national con- 
ventions and for ten years was a leading member of the Democratic State Commit- 
tee. In 1867 he ran for Congress against the late A. H. Bailey and was defeated in 
a Republican stronghold by a very small majority. 

Mr. Stryker was a great reader, and was at all times thoroughly posted, and 
possessed a wonderfully retentive memory, especially in political affairs. Genial, 
kind, and generous by nature he was a liberal benefactor to all religious, charitable, 
and educational objects, and for twenty years was one of the wardens of Zion Epis- 
copal church of Rome. He was the architect of his own fortune and wisely em- 
ployed it for the advancement of his city. His family homestead, which he erected 
about 1839, occupies the northeast corner of the historic site of Fort Stanwix and 
stands Wholly or partly on the site of the old blockhouse. 

In 1839 Mr Stryker married Miss Frances Elizabeth Hubbard, daughter of Hon. 
Thomas Hill Hubbard, of Utica. [Mr. Hubbard was the first surrogate (in 1809) of 
Madison county, deputy attorney-general of the district comprising the counties of 
Oneida, Otsego, Chenango, Herkimer, and Lewis in 1816-18, district attorney of 
Madison county in 1818-21, member of congress six years, and presidential elector 
in 1812, 1844, and 1852.] She died April 17, 1891, aged seventy five years. Their 
children were John, deceased; Phebe, of Rome; Harriet P., wife of Edward H. 
Butler, a banker, and ex-state treasurer, of Detroit, Mich. ; Grace, wife of Rev. E. 
Bayard Smith, rector of Trinity Episcopal church, of Troy, N. Y. ; and Thomas 
Hubbard Stryker, of Rome. 



14 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

DAVID UTLEY. 

The Utley family is of English extraction, and for several generations imbibed 
those sterling habits of thrift and frugality which characterized native New Eng- 
enders. David Utley, sr., father of the subject of this memoir, was born in Con- 
necticut, and came from Dutchess county, N. Y., to the town of Western, Oneida 
county, about the year 1795, guiding himself through the wilderness from Fort 
Stanwix by the aid of a compass and blazed trees. An ambitious pioneer, though 
broken in health, he managed to clear a farm and died there when comparatively a 
young man. 

David Utley, son of David, sr., was born of Quaker parentage in Western on 
February 12, 1802, and spent his youthful life upon the parental acres, attending the 
district schools as opportunity afforded. He remained, a farmer, in that town until 
1847, and for fifteen consecutive years served his townsmen as supervisor. In this 
latter capacity he was one of the influential members of the board and fetained the 
confidence and respect of all with whom he came in contact. In 1847 he became a 
permanent resident of Rome, where he originated and founded the Fort Stanwix 
(now the Fort Stanwix National) Bank, which commenced business in December of 
that year on the corner of James and Dominick streets. Mr. Utley was elected its 
first president, a position he held by re- election until it became a national bank in 
1865, when he was chosen to the same office in the reorganized institution, and 
served in that capacity until his death on June 20, 1882. He was succeeded by his 
son, Harmon G. Utley, who had entered the bank as teller m 1847 and subsequently 
became also its vice president. Mr. Utley was one of the ten founders of the Rome 
Exchange Bank and served as a director of that institution and its successor, the 
First National Bank, for many years. He was also a director for some time in the 
City Bank of Oswego and in the Rome & Watertown and Mobile & Ohio Railroad 
Companies, and was largely instrumental in securing the location of the R., W. & 
O. Railroad shops in Rome. He was one of the founders and long a director of the 
Rome Iron Works and Merchants Iron Mill and for many years a member and ves- 
tryman of Zion Episcopal church. 

Mr. Utley was widely recognized as an able financier and occupied a prominent 
position among leading bankers of Central New York. He was closely identified 
with various measures which owe a large measure of their success to his personal 
direction or valued counsels. He was shrewd, sagacious, and somewhat prophetic, 
a man of excellent business ability and sound judgment, and a powerful factor as a 
banker, and in local financial aff^airs. Unostentatious, quiet, and mild-mannered, 
but firm and decided in his opinion, he was a close student of human nature, a good 
diplomatist, a man of even temperament, and a prosperous and influential citizen. 
He took a keen interest in the welfare of his city and was always a liberal contrib- 
utor to charitable and benevolent objects. A life-long Democrat he never sought 
public office, yet in Western he was pressed forward by his townsmen year after 
year to the highest elective position within their gift. 

Mr. Utley was married, first, to Miss Amy Beckwith, daughter of Lemuel Beck- 
with, the first settler in 1789 of the town of Western, Oneida county, where she died 
leaving four children, of whom George P. and Harmon G. (of Rome) survive. His 
second wife was Miss Catherine Marsh, of New York city, who died without issue. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 15 

VIRGIL DRAPER. 

The first American ancestors of the Draper family were James Draper and Miriam 
Stansfield, his wife, of Heptonstall Parish, Vicarage of Halifax, Yorkshire, England, 
who came to this country and settled in Roxbury, near Boston, Mass., about 1650. 
James Draper was a son of Thomas and was made a freeman of Roxbury in 1690. 
The line of descent from Thomas to the subject of this memoir is as follows: (1) 
Thomas, (2) James, (3) James, (4) James, {')) Josiah, (6) Josiah, and (7) Virgil. James 
Draper (3) was born in Roxbury in 1654, married Abigail Whitney, of Dedham, Mass., 
February 18, 1681, and died April 30, 1698. He was a soldier in King Philip's war 
in 1675. James Draper (4), son of James (3), was born in 1691, married, first, Rachel 
Addis and, second, Abigail Child, and died in 1768. He was captain of the Trained 
Bands of Militia in his district. Josiah (5), son of James (4) and Abigail (Child) 
Draper, was born in Stoughton, Mass., September 12, 1727, and married Sarah Ellis. 
Their son, Josiah (6), was born in Dedham, Mass., October 14, 1753, and died in 
Attleboro, Mass., May 17, 1819. He married Miss Mary Mann, daughter of Dr. 
Bezaleel Mann, of Attleboro, and sister of Newton Mann, whose portrait and biog- 
raphy appear in this work. September 25, 1778, he enlisted as a drummer in Captain 
Plympton's company of Medfield, Mass., volunteers, and served creditably in the 
war of the Revolution. He had thirteen children, of whom Virgil was the eighth. 

Virgil Draper, born in Attleboro, Mass., January 4, 1789, inherited all the sturdy 
characteristics of his long line of worthy New England ancestry, and besides was 
liberally endowed with those native attributes which make the successful man. He 
acquired his rudimentary education in the public schools of his birthplace, interspers- 
ing it with a practical experience which proved valuable in after life. In 1806 he 
came to Whitesboro, Oneida county, N. Y., to live with his maternal uncle. Dr. Seth 
Capron, and immediately entered the newly established cotton mills there to learn 
the manufacture of cotton goods in all its branches. The principal owners of these 
mills were Dr. Capron and Newton Mann, and in them Mr. Draper remained until 
1822, when he came to Rome, N. Y., as superintendent of Dominick Lynch's mill. 
About two years later he went to Stittville, Oneida county, and established a cotton 
mill, which he sold out in 1827. Returning then to Rome he purchased the Lynch 
waterpower and mill property at what is known as " Factory Village" and engaged 
in the manufacture of cotton goods on an extensive scale, having al.so a general store 
in connection with the establishment. He continued this business with marked suc- 
cess until about 1840, when he retired. In 1827 he also purchased the property on 
the corner of Spring and Dominick streets, where the Lynch residence had stood and 
which was in 1825 destroyed by fire, and erected the present dwelling, which is occu- 
pied by his daughter and her husband, Mr. and Mrs. H. K. White. The Lynch 
house was the first structure built on the historic site of Fort Stanwix after that mil- 
itary stronghold had been demolished, and which embraced the site where the 
Draper homestead now stand.s. 

Mr. Draper always manifested a lively interest in the growth and pro.sperity of 
Rome, to which he liberally contributed through various important enterprises. He 
was one of the founders of the Fort Stanwix (now the Fort Stanwix National) Bank 
and served as its vice-president until his death, which occurred in Rome on April 6, 



16 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

1867. He was heavily interested in Rome real estate and numerous business proj- 
ects, which materially promoted the general welfare and advancement. He was 
always a conspicuous figure in local elections and in political affairs, not for the pur- 
pose of seeking office, for that he steadfastly refused, but for the good of his party 
and town. Originally a Whig and subsequently a Republican he was one of the few 
who contributed towards and procured the establishment of the Roman Citizen as a 
Whig newspaper in 1840. He unflinchingly stood by his convictions, and possessed 
a keen discrimination between right and wrong. He was a constant attendant of 
the Presbyterian church and required the same regular attendance of his family. 
Firm in friendship, cautious in expressing opinions, an earnest advocate of temper- 
ance, and a man of strict integrity, uprightness of character, and singleness of pur- 
pose, he was successful in every sphere of life. He was a man of few intimate 
friends but to those he was closely attached. Starting without a dollar he accumu- 
lated by his own indu.stry an ample fortune, and in every respect was a self-made 
man. 

He married Miss Eliza Holmes, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Bullard) Holmes, of 
Attleboro, Mass., who died July 3, 1872, in the eightieth year of her age. They had 
three children: Frances, born December 1, 1822, married Joseph A. Dudley (died in 
1884), an early and prominent druggist and business man of Rome and later a whole- 
sale druggist in New York city, and died in 1872 ; Mary, who married, first, Henry 
S. Hill (died in 1854), a druggist of Rome, and second, Henry K. White, of Spencer 
& White, one of the oldest dry goods merchants in this city; and Julia H., who mar- 
ried her second cousin, Sidney R. Kinney, grandson of Newton Mann, who was en- 
gaged in the drug business in Rome until his death in 1861. Mr. Draper's three 
sons-in-law— Messrs. Dudley, Hill, and Kmney — occupied one after another the same 
drug store and dwelling house, and all were representative business men. 



EDWARD HUNTINGTON. 

The first American ancestor of this branch of the Huntington family of which 
there is any authentic record was Simon, who spent his youth in Windsor, Conn., 
but removed to Norwich in 1660, where he passed the remainder of his life. Ben- 
jamin Huntington, one of his descendants and the grandfather of the subject of this 
memoir, was born in Norwich, Conn., April 19, 1736, graduated from Yale in 1761, 
and soon became a prominent lawyer in his native town. He was a member of the 
Continental Congress in 1780-84 and 1787-88 and in 1789 was chosen from Connecti- 
cut to the first Congress of the United States. From 1781 to 1790 and from 1791 to 
1793 he was a member of the Upper House of the Connecticut Legislature; in 1784 
he became the first mayor of the city of Norwich, an office he held till he resigned in 
1796. In 1793 he was appointed judge of the Superior Court and served in that 
capacity until 1798. During the Revolutionary war he rendered valuable service to 
the State and was a member of the convention held at New Haven for the regula- 
tion of the army. On one occasion, in the absence from home of Judge Huntington, 
his patriotic wife, in response to a pressing call on the part of the army, sent all 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 17 

their bedding and available clothing to the heroic soldiers, supplying their place on 
the bed by blankets cut from carpets on the floor. His son, George Huntington, 
was born June 5, 1770, and was married May 21, 1794, to Hannah Thomas, of Nor- 
wich, Conn. He came to Whitestown, Oneida county, in 1792, and in 1793 removed 
to Rome (then Fort Stanwix), where in partnership with a brother, Henry, he estab- 
lished the first store at Fort Stanwix, now Rome, opening their goods for sale in the 
tavern of John Barnard, which stood just northeast of the present court house. 
Both were natives of Connecticut. In 1794 George Huntington built a frame store 
and dwelling on Dominick street and the firm continued mercantile business till 
about 1816. He was the first supervisor of the town of Rome in 1796, and held that 
office also in 1804, 1814, and 1817. In 1798 he was appointed one of the first side 
judges of the Common Pleas for the new county of Oneida, and was reappointed in 
1801 and 1804. In 1810 he was elected to the Assembly and in 18;3 defeated for the 
office of lieutenant governor on the Federal ticket. In 1815 and again in 1822 he ran 
for State senator, but was defeated. He was elected to the assembly in 1818, 1819, 
1820, and 1821, and from 1797 to 1819 officiated as collector for the Western Inland 
Canal. He was trustee of Rome village in 1820, 1821, 1822, 1826, and 1827, and died, 
universally respected and esteemed September 28, 1841. He reared a family of 
eight children, of whom Edward was the youngest. 

Hon. Edward Huntington was born in Rome, June 23, 1817, and died here April 
17, 1881. He prepared for college at Oliver C. Grosvenor's school, but failing health 
compelled him to abandon the idea of a collegiate training and turn his attention to 
civil engineering for the sake of outdoor exercise. In this occupation he found an 
ample field for the development of his talents and the congenial employment of his 
native energy. He afterward spent some time in Culja, where, with Benjamin H. 
Wright, he was engaged on railroad surveys. Returning to Rome he became one of 
the engineers on the Uticaand Schenectady Railroad and in 1839 was made chief of a 
corps of engineers employed on the enlargement of the Erie Canal, with headquar- 
ters at Fort Plain. Upon the death of his father in 1841 he resigned this position 
and returned to Rome to look after the large landed and other property comprising 
the estate, which with his own interests commanded his attention ever afterward. 
He was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1846 and rendered valuable 
service in that important body. He was also for several years president of the vil- 
lage of Rome. 

In IS.").") Mr. Huntington was elected president of the Rome Savings Bank to suc- 
ceed the late Hervey Brayton and held that position until he resigned in 1878. Upon 
the death of Robert B. Doxtater in 1863 he was made president of the Rome Ex- 
change (now the First National) Bank and officiated in that capacity until his de- 
cease. He was one of the prime movers in organizing the Rome Iron Works Com- 
pany in 1866 and served as its president till his death. He was also largely instru- 
mental in forming the Merchants Iron Mill, of which he was continuously a valued 
trustee. In all benevolent and charitable enterprises Mr. Huntington was ever a 
foremost participant and in every movement which promised benefit to the com- 
munity his name was conspicuous. He was one of the moving spirits in founding 
the Central New York Institution for Deaf Mutes in Rome in 1875 and was a mem- 
ber of its board of trustees from the organization until his death. He was also a 
c 



18 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

trustee of the Rome Cemetery Association, a director in the Rome & Clinton Rail- 
road Company, and for many years a director and vice-president of the First National 
Bank of Utica. 

Mr. Huntington always manifested a deep interest in educational matters and was 
especially prominent in establishing the Rome Academy, of which he was long a 
trustee. He was also influential in organizing the Rome free school system and be- 
came a member of the first Board of Education, a position he filled with singular 
ability and universal satisfaction. He was a faithful friend of and identified with 
the Young Men's Christian Association from its inception, being its first president 
and a member of its board of directors until his death. Throughout life he was a 
prominent member of the Presbyterian church. 

Edward Huntington was first a Whig and later a Republican, a man of quiet and 
retiring disposition, and neither sought nor desired public office, yet he never shirked 
responsibility. He discharged every duty with an impartiality and fearlessness 
born of love of right and justice. He was a man of strict integrity, unswerving 
fidelity, and of great uprightness of character. A devout Christian, a life-long 
friend of popular education, a staunch supporter of the moral and public welfare, he 
was ever a generous promoter of all projects which promised advancement to the 
community. He had the best interests of Rome at heart, and contributed of both 
time and means toward building up the city and furthering its pro.sperity. He was 
widely respected and esteemed, and retained the confidence of all with whom he 
came into contact. Bemg heavily interested in real estate and numerous business 
enterprises he was one of the largest taxpayers, and in every capacity his counsel 
and advice carried the prestige of conviction. 

September 4, 1844, Mr. Huntington was married to Miss Antoinette Randall, 
daughter of Willi_am Randall, of Cortland, N. Y., who survives him, as do also a son 
and four daughters. 



ALBERT SOPER. 

Aluekt Soi'EK was the eldest son of Philander and Jerusha Martin Soper, and was 
born in I'lome, in February, 1813. His father had settled in Rome about 1809, hav- 
ing emigrated from Long Island. His mother had emigrated from Rhode Island 
about the same year. 

Albert grew to manhood on the farm of ,his father, attending the common school 
winters, and finishing his education at Mr. Grosvenor's Academy. At the age of 
eighteen he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for several years. A 
little later he began contracting, and v\^hile thus employed built the first planing mill 
erected in Rome. His earliest partner was Adam Van Patten, who was succeeded 
by William Simmons, an extensive lumber yard having been added to the business. 

The financial storm of 1857 forced the firm to assign, and Mr. Soper continued as 
manager of the business for the assignee till 1865, when he removed to Chicago, 
when with characteristic energy he threw himself into the flood of lumber develop- 
ment and was soon on top. The firm name was Park & Soper until 1878, when Mr. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 19 

Park sold his interest to James Soper, the younger lirother of All)crt, and the busi- 
ness was continued under the title of Soper Bros. & Co. until 1884, when it was con- 
solidated with the Soper & Pond Co., and incorporated as the Soper Lumber Co., 
with Albert Soper as president, with mills in Michigan and extensive yards in 
Chicago. The business grew to large proportions, their trade reaching from Massa- 
chusetts to Colorado. 

Mr. Soper died in May. 1890. He was pre-eminently a business man, devoting 
his entire attention to development of his interests, with an energy that was tireless. 

He was an excellent citizen, with correct and comprehensive views on law and 
life, and established a most honorable name in the business world. He took an 
ardent interest in politics, and was a staunch Whig in his earlier years, and a Re- 
publican when the latter party was organized. He never sought nor held a political 
office. 

Mr. Soper was for many years a director of the Hide and Leather National Bank 
of Chicago. 

In 1886 he was married to Esther Farquharson, who was a native of Cherry Val- 
ley, in New York State. Mrs. Soper survived her husband nearly four years. 
Seven children were born to them, of whom two died in early youth. Of the re- 
mainder Arthur W., the eldest, now resides in New York city; Mary Adelaide, wife 
of George Merrill, died in Chicago in 1890; Alexander C. , James P., and Etta A. 
(wife of William Penn Smith), now reside in Chicago. 



ARTHUR W. SOPER. 

Arthur W. Soper, eldest son of Albert and Esther Soper, was born in Rome, N. 
Y., July 16, 1838. He was educated at Rome Academy under Prof. Frank Moore, 
and at the age of seventeen, began work in his father's office and lumber yard. In 
1858 he entered the railway service, beginning as clerk in the Rome freight office. 
At the end of three years, he was appointed Superintendent's clerk. This position 
he held two years, when he was made a passenger conductor, and the following year 
appointed Assistant Superintendent of the R. W. & O. Ry., under Addison Day. 
Some four years later, Mr. Day was called to St. Louis as Superintendent of the St. 
Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern Ry., and soon after his arrival there, offered Mr. 
Soper the office of Assistant Superintendent, which he accepted, leavir.g Rome in 
February, 1871. At the end of a year, Mr. Day resigned, because of ill health, and 
Mr. Soper was made General Superintendent, and afterwards for several yeans, 

General Manager. 

Under his efficient and energetic management, the road was greatly prospered, 
and became most important and helpful to the business of St. Louis. After some 
ten years service, Mr. Soper resigned his position as General Manager, to engage in 
business in New York City. No man ever had more sincere friends and admirers 
among the leading citizens and business men of St. Louis, than Mr. Soper, as was 
evidenced by their resolutions accompanying a handsome service of silver, which 
they presented to him upon his retiring from active railway service. 



20 OUR CITY A^D ITS PEOPLE. 

Upon his arrival in New York, he took up, with characteristic energy, the man- 
agement of several important business interests in connection with railroads, which 
prospered and grew rapidly to large proportions. 

About 1889, he became President of the Safety Car Heating & Lighting Co. of 
New York, which he has managed with remarkable success. 

In April, 1871, he married Hettie, daughter of Samuel Ward well, of Rome, N. Y. 
They have one child, Mary Theresa. 

Mr. Soper was endowed with unusual force of character, supported by extraordi- 
nary mental and physical vigor. With these are united personal qualities which 
endear him to his friends, who are a host in number. Such a man was bound to be 
successful in any career he might have chosen. 

In politics he has always been a stalwart Republican, but has never sought or held 
office. 

Mr. Soper's two brothers, Alexander C. and James P., are the head and front of 
the Soper Lumber Co. of Chicago, and that sagacity and energy which they share 
with the subject of this sketch, have made their firm in its department one of the 
foremost representative houses of the West. 



SAMUEL O. SCUDDER, M. D. 

Samuel Osuorne Scudder, M. D., was born on a farm in Roxbury, Delaware 
county, N. Y., March 31, 1818, and died at his home in Rome. N. Y., March 2, 1895. 
His grandparents were William S. and Elizabeth Scudder, who were born respect- 
ively January 14 and September 14, 1748. David Scudder, his father, was born Oc- 
tober 2, 1783, and married, first, February 17, 1807, Phebe Osborne, who was born 
July 7, 1788, and who died March 10, 1822. Their children were Elizabeth, born 
April 5, 1809; Cynthia, born March 16, 1812; Abigail, March 14, 1814; Edalinah, 
Januarys, 1817; Dr. Samuel C, the subject of this memoir; Mary Ann, May 24, 
1820; and David O., March 10, 1822. He married, second, February 17, 1823, iMrs. 
Sally (Patterson) Yeomans, who was born May 31, 1795. They had seven children. 

Dr. Scudder remained on the parental farm and attended the district schools 
until he reached the age of fourteen, when, with seventy-five cents in money, he 
started out into the world to seek a fortune. Endowed with a strong constitution 
for a lad of his years, combined with pluck, perseverance, and clear ideas, he eagerly 
took advantage of the first opportunity to increase his knowledge as well as his 
little store of wealth. He learned successively the trades of tinsmith, hatter, and 
furrier, mastering each with a skill and rapidity that demonstrated his capacity for 
learning. All this time, however, he cherished an ambition for something higher, 
saved every penny possible, and devoted all his spare moments to study and self- 
improvement. Leaving these occupations, one after another, he was for four years 
a clerk in a general store in Hudson, N.Y., where he matured plans to make himself 
a physician and surgeon. He went to Palmyra, N. Y., and entered the office of Dr. 
Durfee Chase, an eminent practitioner of the homcropathic school, and from there 
he became a student during the winter of 1846-47 in the medical department of the 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 21 

University of New York City, in wliich the noted physician, Dr. \'alentine Mott, was 
a professor. He was graduated from the Homceopathic Medical College of Pennsyl- 
vania on March 10, 1849. He contributed many valuable papers on medical subjects 
to the county society, and was the first of the class of six graduates (and the last 
survivor) who received the first diplomas granted by any homct'opathic institution 
in this country. After a brief residence in Waterloo, N. Y., he came to Rome, 
Oneida county, where he remained until his death, a period of nearly forty eight 
years, being at the time of his demise the oldest physician in the city. 

Dr. Scudder was devoted to his profession and probably did as much for the ad- 
vancement of hom(x>opathy as any other physician in Central New York. His prac- 
tice grew to extensive proportions, and throughout a wide section of the county he 
retained the respect and confidence of all with whom he came in contact. He be- 
came somewhat celebrated as a specialist in lung and throat troubles, in the treat- 
ment of which he was often called long distances, either as consultant or as physi- 
cian in charge. He laid particular stress upon the importance of good nursing, and 
in this respect he acquired a reputation. He was a quick and almost unerring 
diagnostician and possessed a keenness of perception that was remarkable. Kind, 
patient, and cheerful, his presence in the sick room was always welcome, while his 
geniality and friendliness made him a desirable companion. He joined the Oneida 
County Homoeopathic Society on June 21, 1859, and became its president October 17, 
1865. In fact he was one of the pioneers in homoeopathy in this part of the State. 
He was one of the founders and a lifelong member of the New York State Homoeo- 
pathic Medical Society, and during the war and afterward served as United States 
examining surgeon for the pension department. 

As a financier Dr. Scudder enjoyed an enviable reputation both at home and 
abroad. He was for some time a well known and successful operator in Wall street, 
and in local business affairs he became an authority. He was a close personal friend 
of John B Jervis, the noted civil engineer, and of many other influential men of his 
day. He was largely instrumental in founding the Rome Brass and Copper Com- 
pany and was its president from soon after the organization till his death. Mainly 
through his able management it was placed upon a sound business basis. He was 
also one of the founders of the Champaign (111.) Water Works Company, at one time 
its president, and for several years controlled its financial affairs. 

Dr. Scudder was married, first, on December 24, 1845, to Miss Harriet Fidelia 
Chase, daughter of his clinical preceptor. Dr. Durfee Chase, of Palmyra, N. Y. 
After her death he married, in October, 1856, Miss Elizabeth Crampton, who sur- 
vives him. His children were Mrs. A. B. Southwick, Dr. Nelson C. Scudder, and 
Miss Elizabeth C, of Rome; Fred B. Scudder, of New York; and Samuel, deceased. 
Dr. Nelson C. Scudder was born August 14, 1853, was graduated from the Hahne- 
mann Medical College of Philadelphia in 1879, and is now a practicing physician in 
Rome. 



ELON J. LAWTON, M.D. 

Elon Joseph Lawton, M.D., was a descendant of George Lawlon, who emigrated 
from England early m the seventeenth century and settled in Portsmouth, R. 1. On 



22 OUR CITr AND ITS PEOPLE. 

a document dated April 'M), 1639, his name appears among those of other residents 
of that place who swore allegiance to King Charles, and from his day to the present 
many members of the family have filled important positions in civil and commercial 
as well as in social and professional life. The history of not only New England but 
of various other States in the Union bears evidence of their public spirit, patriotism, 
and official capacity, while the annals of numerous communities contain notices of 
their deeds and labors. One Robert Lawton was for several years a deputy from 
Portsmouth, beginning in 1781, and another, George Lawton, who served in Col. 
John Cook's regiment from Rhode Island in the Revolutionary war, was wounded 
by a cannon-shot from a British ship on January 10, 1777, while on duty at Fayland 
Ferry. The men bearing the name invariably took a prominent part in their respect- 
ive localities during colonial times and in many instances attained distinction for 
excellence in their chosen callings. Joseph Lawton, jr., eldest son of Joseph Law- 
ton, sr. , a descendant of the original George Lawton, moved from Rhode Island to 
near Stonington, Conn., where his son and eldest child, Joseph, was born February 
11, 1780. The latter married, October 6, 1801. Nancy Dennison, who was born in 
Stonington in October, 1782, and died in Albion. Wis., June 18, 1854. His death 
occurred in Edgerton, Wis., November 1, 1866. He came to Easton, Washington 
county, N. Y., about 1803, but soon removed to the town of Verona, Oneida county, 
and settled near Rathbunville. Later he took up his residence at what was long 
known as Lawton's Bridge, near Higginsville, in the same town, where he was both 
a farmer and grocer. His eldest child. Dyer Stanton Lawton, was born in Easton, 
N. Y., January 27, 1803, followed farming and mercantile business at Higginsville, 
and died in Rome on May 11, 1855. He was married, first on December 31, 1829, to 
Mary Louisa Higgins, and second, after her death, to Sarah Ann Egleston, on Au- 
gust 29, 1833. 

Dr. Elon J. Lawton, son of Dyer Stanton and Sarah Ann (Egleston) Lawton, was 
born in Higginsville, Oneida county, September 9, 1835, and spent his early life 
upon the farm and in attendance at the district schools of his native town. At about 
the age of eighteen he came with his father and the family to Rome, where he 
finished his education at the local academy. Here he became a clerk in the drug- 
store of Dr. Harold H. Pope and while clerking also commenced the study of medi- 
cine, which he subsequently continued in the office of Dr. James M. Sturdevant. He 
took lectures at the Castleton (Vt.) Medical College and the L'niversity of Michigan 
at Ann Arbor, and in 1858 was graduated from the Albany Medical College with the 
degree of M.D. He began the practice of his profession in North Western. Oneida 
county, and two years later removed to Verona, where he remained until January, 
1870, when he came to Rome. Here he afterward resided and practiced medicine 
until his death, which occurred April' 18, 1895. 

Dr. Lawton was a lifelong Republican and for many years took an active interest 
in politics. He was for some time postmaster at Verona and in 1870 was elected cor- 
oner of Oneida county, an office he filled with honesty and ability by re election for 
four successive terms, or twelve years. In 1890 and again in 1893 he was elected alder- 
man from the 5th ward of Rome, and while holding that position was one of a com- 
mittee appointed to select a site for the city hall. In this latter capacity he was 
mainly instrumental in locating that handsome structure upon the premises it now 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 23 

occupies. While a member of the Common Council he was one of the leaders of tlic 
Republican side and rendered effective service, not only to that body, but to his con- 
stituents and the city at large, and although a Republican his fairness, honesty, and 
integrity were never questioned. He was quite heavily interested in real estate and 
in several business enterprises, and always aided in promoting the advancement and 
prosperity of the community, contributing liberally to its welfare and numerous 
charitable and benevolent obje.;ts. He was a prominent physician, skillful in diag- 
nosis and the treatment of diseases, and in North Western, Verona, and Rome en- 
joyed a wide professional business as well as the respect and confidence of all with 
whom he came in contact. He was a man of pronounced convictions and opinions, 
of keen discrimination between right and wrong, conscientious, genial, kind, sym- 
pathetic, and friendly. 

August 9, 1870, Dr. Lawton was married in \'eroua to Miss Clara M., daughter of 
Mason Benedict, of that village, who with two children — Mason Benedict Lawton 
and Clarabelle Benedict Lawton — survives him and resides in Rome. 



THOMAS MACOMB FLANDRAU. 

Thom.^s Macomb Flandrau. son of Thoma;; Hunt and Elizabeth M. (Macomb) 
Flandrau. was born in New York city on the 8th of July, 1826. His ancestry, though 
French and Irish, were all Protestants— rather curiously, as both countries are 
strongly Roman Catholic in their religious tendencies. Jaques Flandreau, the 
originator of the family in this country, was a French Huguenot driven from France 
by the revocation of the Edict of Nantes by Louis XIV, and with a colony of his 
compatriots settled at New Rochelle, N. Y., about 1686, naming the town after La 
Rochelle, a famous Protestant city of France. His descendants still live at New 
Rochelle, but are not very numerous. Dr. Flandrau is the only physician of the 
name in the Ignited States; his branch of the family dropped the e from the last 
syllable. Mrs. Elizabeth M. (Macomb) Flandrau was a daughter of Alexander 
Macomb, an Orangeman from Belfast, Ireland, who was married in 1773 in Detroit. 
Mich., where he remained until 1785 when he moved to New York city. There he 
was for many years actively engaged in bu.siness as a shipping merchant. In 1788 
he built No. 39 Broadway, which was occupied in 1790 by General Washington as 
the President's house, and which in later years was Bunker's Hotel. In 1791 he 
purchased a large tract of land in what are now the counties of Lewis, St. Lawrence. 
Franklin, Herkimer, Jefferson and Oswego, the southern boundary of which is now 
the northern line of Oneida county. It comprised 3,700,000 acres, cost eight cents 
per acre, and included all the Thousand Islands, except Carlton Island, on which 
stood Fort Haldiman. The map of "Macomb's Purchase" and the documents 
relating to it are in the Documentary History of New York. Mr. Macomb had six 
sons in the war of 1812, the eldest of whom, Maj.-Gen. Alexander Macomb, was the 
hero of the battle of Plattsburgh and afterwards commander-in-chief of the United 
States Army. Thomas Hunt Flandrau, a native of New Rochelle, N. Y., was 
educated in Oneida county, where he spent the most of his life. He was graduatea 



24 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

from Hamilton College in 1819, became a prominent lawyer, and at the time of his 
marriage and the birth of his son, Dr. Flandrau, was a law partner of the celebrated 
Aaron Burr in New York city. 

Dr. Thomas Macomb Flandrau passed his youth in Georgetown, D. C, and was 
educated in the private schools and academies of Georgetown and Washington. He 
studied medicine with Dr. Benjamin S. Bohrer, and was graduated from the 
National Medical College of Washmgton, D. C, in March, 1848. After practicing 
his profession a .short time in Georgetown he removed to his father's home at 
Whitesboro, Oneida county, N. Y., but on January 1, 1853, settled in Rome, where 
he was in partnership with Dr. Arba Blair for two years. In 1856 he went to Brock- 
port, N. Y., and remained there until 18fi2, when he again took up his residence in 
Rome, where he has since lived. August 23, 18G2, Dr. Flandrau was commissioned 
surgeon of the 14()th Regiment, N. Y. Vol. Inf., with rank of major. This regiment 
was known as the Halleck Infantry and also as the 5th Oneida, and many of its 
officers and men were citizens of Rome. He remained with the organization about 
a year, when he was promoted to the position of surgeon-in-chief of the 3d Brigade, 
3d Division, 5th Army Corps. On the 7th of June, 1864, he was agair. promoted to 
the surgeoucy-in-chief of the 2d Division, 5th Army Corps. 

The 146th Regiment is entitled to honorable mention in the history of Rome. 
Lieut. -Col. Jesse J. Armstrong, Adjutant Edward Comstock, and Capt. William A. 
Walker, besides many of its brave soldiers, were residents of this city, and having 
been organized on the camp ground in West Dominick street all its officers and men 
felt a profound interest in the city of its birth. The regiment participated m every 
battle fought by the Army of the Potomac from the first battle of Fredericksburg in 
December, 1862, to the final surrender of the Confederate army at Appomattox in April, 
1865. It distinguished itself as well by its bravery as by the fearful slaughter of its 
rank and file in many engagements, especially in the Wilderness, where Col. David 
Jenkins and Major Henry Curran were left dead upon the field with a large number 
of men. As surgeon. Dr. Flandrau was present in all of its twenly-five battles, and 
fortunately escaped sickness and wounds during his three years' .service at the front. 
He was discharged at Syracuse, N. Y., in July, 1865, and was made brevet lieutenant- 
colonel of U. S. Volunteers, holding a commission to that effect "for meritorious 
services in the field," signed by President Andrew Johnson, and the great secretary 
of war, Edwin M. Stanton. The Medical and Surgical History of the War contains 
the record of many of his surgical operations. 

In 1865 Dr. Flandrau purchased his present residence in East Dominick street and 
ever since then he has been actively engaged in the practice of his profession 
in Rome. He is a member of the Oneida County Medical Society and the American 
Medical Association, and has attended several International Medical Congresses, the 
last in 1890 at Berlin, Germany, when he made an extended tour through France, 
Switzerland, England, Scotland, and Ireland. For many years he has been a mem- 
ber of the Board of Health of Rome and for twelve years a member of the Board of 
Education, of which he has served as president during the last three years. He has 
served as physician to the Central New York Institution for Deaf Mutes of Rome 
since its organization in 1874. He is medical director of the Rome Hospital and was 
prominent in its foundation and establishment, making the plans and designs for 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 25 

ils construction. His plans were adopted with very slight modification by the archi- 
tect, George Schilluer, who brought them to their final development and is entitled 
to the credit of its external decoration. 

Dr. Flandrau ranks high among the eminent physicians and surgeons of Central 
New York, and during his long and active practice has won the confidence and 
respect of a wide circle of warm friends and acquaintances. He has always taken a 
keen interest in the religious, social, and educational advancement of his city, con- 
tributing generously to these and kindred objects, and encouragmg every worthy 
project which promises benefit to the community. He has been a member of the 
Protestant Episcopal church for forty years and for over twenty years has served as 
vestryman and warden of Zion church, Rome. 

In 1854 Dr. Flandrau was married in Brockport, N. Y., to Miss Clarissa J. Foote, a 
native of Vernon, Oneida county, N. Y., who died May 1, 1890. She was a woman 
noted for her energy, tact, and charitable sentiments, and contributed largely to the 
building and success of the Rome Hospital, where her name and good work are com- 
memorated by a handsome brass tablet erected by the ladies of the institution. She 
left three daughters; Miss Elizabeth M. Flandrau and Mrs. Dr. H. C. Sutton, of 
Rome, and Mrs. George Ethridge, ( f New York city. 



CHRISTOPHER C. REID, M. D. 

Chkistoi'Hek C. RiED, M. D., was born in the town of Westmoreland, Oneida 
county, N. Y., November 1, 1838, and is the sixth in a family of fifteen children of 
James and Rebecca (Robinson) Reid, who were born of Scotch parentage in the 
north of Ireland. James and Rebecca Reid, after their marriage in their native 
country, came to America about 1837 and first settted in Kirkland, this county, but 
subsequently moved to a farm in Westmoreland. Mrs. Reid died in 1879, aged about 
seventy years. Mr. Reid's death occurred in Albion, Oswego county, in November, 
1887, at the age of eighty seven. Thirteen of their children attained maturity. 
James Reid and his brother Christopher constituted the family of William Reid 
grandfather of the subject of this sketch. 

Dr. C. C. Reid left home at the age of nine years to live with his uncle Christopher 
in Kirkland, N.Y., where he was reared on a farm. He was graduated from Whites- 
town Seminary in 1862, and while attending that institution began the study of 
medicine with Drs. Henderson, father and son. After his graduation he went to 
Albany, read medicine under Dr. William Bailey, and was graduated with the de- 
gree of M. D. from the Albany Medical College in 1864. The same year he com- 
menced the practice of his profession in the town of Western, Oneida county, where 
he remained until 1870, when he moved to Rome, where he has since resided, enjoy- 
ing a wide and successful professional business. 

Dr. Reid is a member of the Oneida County Medical Society and was one of the 
founders and has always been a member of the New York State Medical Associa- 
tion. He is the first president of the Rome Medical Society, which he was largely 
instrumental in organizing in February, 1895. For twenty consecutive years, or 

D 



26 OUR CIT^ AND ITS PEOPLE. 

since 1876, he has acted as examining surgeon for the N. Y. C. & H. R. R. R. Co. 
his labors in this capacity extending along the entire line and frequently outside the 
State. He is consulting physician to the Rome City Hospital, a director in the 
Rome Brass and Copper Company, and was one of the originators and the first presi- 
dent of the Washington Street Opera House Company, serving as president two 
terms during the erection of the handsome opera house in 1889 and 1890. He joined 
the Masons in Vienna and is now a member of Rome Lodge F. & A. M. and Rome 
Commandery K. T. In 1879 he visited Europe and traveled extensively over Great 
Britain and the Continent, visiting not only the chief points of general interest, but 
many hospitals and medical institutions. 

Dr. Reid was married on April 4, 1898, to Miss Katherine Melissa Spencer, daugh- 
ter of Harvey D. Spencer, of Rome, N. Y. 



JOSEPH I. SAYLEvS. 

Descendants of the Sayles family in America trace their lineage to John Sayles, 
(1) and Mary Williams, his wife, who were married in Rhode Island in 1(550, settled 
in Providence, and are buried in the Easton burial ground in Middletown near 
Sachuest Beach. He was born in Scotland in 1633, his father being of Scotch and his 
mother of Irish parentage, and died in 1681. His wife, who was born in 1638 and 
died also in 1681, was a daughter of Roger Williams, first governor and founder of 
the Rhode Island colony, and Mary, his wife. Mr. Sayles was made a freeman in 
1655, and held the offices of commissioner, town clerk, warden, town treasurer, 
auditor, deputy, and councilman. His posterity in a direct line to the subject of this 
sketch is as follows: John (2), born August 17, 1654, deputy, tavern keeper, died 
August 2, 1727; Richard (3), born October 24, 1695, died in 1775; Israel (4), born 
March 17, 1726; Israel (5); Benjamin B. (6), who married Polly Strong; and Joseph 
I. (7). The foregoing, prior to Benjamin B. Sayles, lived in Rhode Island, where 
many of the name occupied responsible positions in business, social and official life, 
manifesting at all times great patriotism and individual ability, and becoming sub- 
stantial and useful citizens. Isael (5) came to Norwich, N. Y., early in 1800, and 
there Benjamin B. (6) was born and learned the trade of blacksmith. Benjamin B. 
Sayles moved to the town of Plymouth, Chenango county, and followed farming 
many years. He had four sons and one daughter. 

Joseph I. Sayles, youngest son of Benjamin B. and Polly (Strong) Sayles, was 
born in Plymouth, Chenango county, N. Y., October 7, 1843, and remained on the 
parental farm and attended the district schools until he reached the age of seven- 
teen. He inherited in full measure the sturdy characteristics of his New England 
ancestry, and supplemented these by early acquiring those habits of industry and 
perseverance which irark the successful man. April 29, 1861, he enlisted in Co. H, 
17th N. Y. Vol. Inf., as a private, and served with the Army of the Potomac from 
its organization till after the siege of Yorktown, participating in all the engagements 
on the peninsula. At Chickahomony Swamp he was taken sick and sent to St. 
Elizabeth Hospital at Washington, where he was honorably discharged August 9, 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 27 

1S«)'2. Returning home he resumed his common school education and soon began to 
read law in Norwich, N. Y. lie was graduated from the Albany Law School in 
18fi0 and in December of the same year was admitted to the bar at Albany. Im- 
mediately afterward he commenced the practice of his profession in Lee Center, 
Oneida county, where he served as justice of the peace and where he remained until 
1870 when he moved to Rome. Here he formed a copartnership with Hon. M. D. 
Barnett, which continued until the latter's election as district attorney in 1876. Mr. 
Sayles's next partnership was in 1887, when the present firm of Sayles, Searle & 
Sayles, was organized by the admission of D. F. Searle and A. F. Sayles. 

Mr. Sayles has been a lifelong Repul)hcan, casting his first vote for Abraham 
Lincoln for president in 1864. He represented the Fifth ward in the common council 
three years, has been a member of the Rome Water Commission four years, and in 
March, 1894, was appointed by (Jov. Levi P. Morton one of the rtianagers of the 
State Custodial Asylum at Rome for six years, being chairman of the executive com- 
mittee of that institution. He was a charter member of Skillen Post, No. 47, G. A. R. 
and for ten years officiated as its commander. He was also department commander 
of the G. A. R. for the State of New York, with r9.nk of major-general in 1885, and 
judge advocate of the department three terms. In 1891 he organized and has since 
served as president of the Jones Elastic Enamel Paint Company of Rome. He is 
heavily interested in real estate, both at home and elsewhere, and has for many years 
been closel}^ identified with the city's growth and prosperity. 

But it is as a trial and criminal lawyer that Mr. Sayles stands out the most prom- 
inently in his career. Without the adventitious aids which wealth, family inlluence, 
and scholastic attainments can give he has, by courage, industry, perseverance, m 
domitable will power, and his own unaided ability, worked his way from a rustic 
school boy on the farm to the front rank in his profession as atrial lawyer, so that he 
stands to-day among the foremost criminal lawyers in the State. He is emphatically 
and in the fullest sense a self-made man. It is aS a jury advocate, and the more 
especially as a criminal lawyer, that he has won his greate.st triumphs and established 
his widest reputation. His shrewdness and tact m the management of trials, 
his acquaintance with human nature which enables him to judge how oral testimony 
will strike and impress the average juror, his experience and familiarity with the 
practice and intricacies of criminal law, and above and better than all his skill in the 
examination of his own and the cross-examination of unwilling and evasive witnesses 
all thoroughly equip him for a trial lawyer in both civil and criminal trials, and make 
him a formidable and most dangerous antagonist. He has tried causes in every 
county of this State but two, and has defended between thirty and forty prisoners 
(the trials taking place in nearly a dozen different counties) for capital ofTenses, and 
in none of them has the prisoner been executed, and in only one was there a convic- 
tion for the higher offense, and in that case the judgment was reversed and the 
prisoner subsequently acquitted. It is said of him that "he is a natural trial 
lawyer." 

On the 2d of June, 1873, Mr. Sayles was married to Miss Sarah Castle, a daughter 
of the late Hon. John J. Castle, of Lee, who in 1852 was member of assembly from 
Oneida county. She died July 7, 1877, and in 1878 he married Mrs. Carrie M. Bond, 
daughter of George Potter, of Lee, by whom he has two children : Josie Irene, born 



28 OtJR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

January 10, 1880, and General George W., born February 22, 1882. The first born, 
at the age of thirteen, wrote a book, worthy of one double her years, which was 
printed for circulation among her own immediate acquaintances and friends. 



EDWARD COMSTOCK. 

Hon. Edward Comstock, son of Hon. Calvert and Eliza Mann (Sill) Comstock, 
was born in Rome, N. Y., April 30, 1843. He first decided upon a legal career and 
read law, bu' abandoned this to become lieutenant and adjutant in the 146th N. Y. 
Vols, in the war of the Rebellion. He was with the 146th N. Y. Vols, in the battle 
of Fredericksburg and Gettysburg. Afterward he was on General Ganard's staff, 
commanding division of cavalry attached to General Sherman's army in the advance 
from Chattanooga to Atlanta. Returning to his home in Rome he engaged in 
business with his father as a lumber manufacturer. In 1876 he established himself 
in the wholesale and retail lumber trade, with which he has since been identified. 

Mr. Comstock is a prominent and an influential factor in the Democratic party, 
and like his respected father has always taken a keen interest in the welfare and 
prosperity of the city of Rome. He was twice elected mayor, and is now a member 
of the Board of Education. 



CALVERT COMSTOCK. 

Hon. Calvert Comstock was born in the town of Western, Oneida county, July 2, 
1812, and died in Rome, N Y., October 10, 1877. He was early dependent upon his 
own resources for both a livelihood and an education, and at the age of sixteen be- 
gan teaching school. In the intervals of this occupation and farm labor he prepared 
himself for college and in 1831 entered Hamilton College, where he spent two years. 
There he was one of the founders of the Alpha Delta Phi Society. Compelled by 
circumstances to relinquish collegiate life he began the study of law with his cousin, 
Ichabod C. Baker, in Whitesboro, and in 1835 was admitted to the bar. He then 
formed a co-partnership with Mr. Baker, which continued until 1838, when he re- 
moved to Rome to fill a vacancy in the firm of Foster & Stryker, occasioned by the 
removal of Hon. Charles Tracy to Utica. The firm became Foster, Stryker &• Com- 
stock and .so continued until January 1, 1841, when Judge Henry A. Foster retired 
upon a re-election to the State Senate. The firm of Stryker & Comstock continued 
till July 7, 1846, when Bloomfield J. Beach became a member. In August, 1847, Mr. 
Stryker retired and Comstock & Beach continued until January 1, 1855, when Mr. 
Comstock retired permanently from the law, and at the earnest solicitation of his 
friends in the Democratic party removed to Albany to take charge of the Albany 
Argus, then the State organ of the Hunker wing of the Democrats. 

As a lawyer Mr. Comstock distinguished himself in his profession, and during his 
twenty years of active practice won a high reputation among both associates and 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 29 

clients. He was eminently successful— a man of honor, candor, courtesy, ability, 
and integrity, of discriminating judgment, sound common sense, and great love of 
justice. In 1845 he was appointed district attorney and by election held that office 
until 1850, when his extensive law business compelled him to resign. He was a 
member of assembly in 1845, and in connection with the State Constitution of 1846 
won a state-wide reputation. He was chairman of the select committee on that sub- 
ject, and took the ground that under the constitution of 1821 the Legislature had no 
right to submit to the people the question of calling a constitutional convention. On 
this point he made an elaborate report, the la\v and facts of which stood unchal 
lenged. He framed such amendments to the constitution as in his judgment were 
demanded, and urged their adoption by the Legislature and subsequent submission 
to the people, but he was beaten by a combination of Barnburners and Whigs. In 
the end his judgment was vindicated, for lawyers and statesmen conceded that the 
constitution of 1846 was inferior, as a whole, to that of 1821. Mr. Comstock had a 
large journalistic experience. From 1838 until the clo.se of the campaign of 1840 he 
had charge as editor of the Rome Sentinel. In 1847 he became a partner in the firm 
of A. J. Rowley & Co., in its proprietorship, the editor being his brother Elon. In 
July, 1852, Calvert and Elon Comstock purchased the plant and established the 
Rome Daily Sentinel, which they successfully conducted until 1855. when they sold 
it to D. E. Wager and D. C. Rowley. Calvert Comstock then went to Albany and 
.succeeded Edwin Cro.swell as editor of the Argus. The Atlas, then edited by Will- 
iam Cassidy, represented the other wing of the Democratic party. Shortly after- 
ward the uniting of the two factions brought about the consolidation of the two pa- 
pers and Messrs. Comstock and Cassidy continued in partnership until the former 
was compelled in 1866 to retire, his constitution having suddenly and completely 
broken down under the strain of constant labor. He returned to Rome and spent 
the remainder of his life. 

Mr. Comstock always manifested a lively interest in the advancement and pros- 
perity of Rome. He was influential in the construction of the various plank roads 
which in 1848 were built from the city in several directions. He was largely inter- 
ested in the building of the Rome, Watertown and Cape Vincent railroad and for 
twenty years was a director of the Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburg Railroad 
Company. He was president of the Boston, Rome and Oswego Railroad Company, 
a projected railroad intended to take advantage of the completion of the Hoo.cac 
tunnel, and personally superintended the entire survey of the line. About 1849 he 
purchased, in connection with Hon. Edward Huntington, a large tract of land in 
Rome from George Clarke and brought it into market as building lots. He was 
chiefly influential in securing the charter for the city of Rome and in 1870 was elected 
the first mayor. He also served for many years as president of the Board of Edu- 
cation. 

April 27, 1836, Mr. Comstock married Miss Eliza Mann Sill, eldest daughter of 
Gen. Theodore Sill, of Whitesboro, the law partner of Thomas R. Gold. Mrs. Com- 
stock died in 1808, leaving four daughters and three sons, all of whom survived 
their father. 



30 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

CAPT. JAMES S. ABEEL. 

Capt. James Stilme Aheel was a lineal descendant of (IXChristopher James Abeel, 
who was born in 1621 in Amsterdam, Holland, whence he came to this country in 
1657 and settled at Fort Orange (now Albany), where he engaged in trade as agent 
for the Dutch West India Company. The line of descent from that patroon to the 
subject of this memoir is (2) Johannes, (3) David, (4) James, (5) John N., and (6) 
James S. Johannes Abeel (2) was the second mayor and for several years recorder 
of the city of Albany, holding the first named office two terms. David (3) was a 
merchant and for some time assessor of New York city. James Abeel (4) was a 
colonel in the Revolutionary army and served through the war as deputy quarter- 
master-general on the staff of General Washington, under General Greene. It was 
largely through his exertions that the troops were provisioned and the army main- 
tained during the historical wmter at Valley Forge, and a number of letters bearing 
his name are still extant. He married a daughter of Dr. John Neilson, a physician 
of Belfast, Ireland, who came to New York and practiced his profession with success. 
Rev. John Neilson Abeel (5), son of Colonel James, was born in New York city in 
1769, was graduated from Princeton College in 1787 and read law with Hon. William 
Patterson, LL. D., in New Brunswick. Later he studied theology, became a tutor in 
Princeton, and was licensed to preach in 1793 ; two years after he became one of the min- 
isters of the collegiate church (Dutch Reformed) of New York and remained there until 
his death in 1812. In 1804 Harvard College conferred upon him the degree of D. D. 
Dr. Abeel was a trustee of Queen's and Columbia Colleges and in 1804, with eleven 
other citizens, founded the New York Historical Society. He married, January 29, 
1794, Mary Stillie, who died January 13, 1826. She was a member of an old and re- 
spected Swedish family of Philadelphia before the days of William Penn, when that 
city was known as New Stockholm and the State of Pennsylvania as New Sweden. 
Of their five children two daughters died in infancy ; the others were James S. ; 
Neilson, born in 1797, married Caroline Lawrence, and died in 1827; and Gustavus, 
born June 6, 1801, graduated from Union College in 1823 and from the Theological 
Seminary in New Brunswick in 1824, and died in September, 1887. 

Capt. James Stilhe Abeel was born in Philadelphia, Pa., November 15, 1795, and re- 
ceived his education in the grammar and select schools of New York city under Arthur 
Stansbury and John Borland. Upon the death of his father in 1812 he entered the 
counting house of Robert Lenox, but soon entered the United States army and was 
assigned to duty on the Niagara frontier in the war of 1812-15. May 8, 1813, he was 
made third lieutenant, and on February 20, 1815, President James Madison commis- 
sioned him first-lieutenant in the 23d Regt. Inf., to rank from October 1, 1814, at 
which time he and Gen. J. A. Dix were the youngest officers on the force. He was 
present at the sortie on Fort Erie and the taking of Fort George and was wounded 
at the battle of Lundy's Lane, where it was subsequently supposed his voice became 
impaired. At the close of the war in December, 1815, he was retained as second 
lieutenant with brevet of first lieutenant in the reorganized army and transferred to 
the 4th Artillery. April 20, 1818, he was made first lieutenant of artillery, his com- 
mission signed by President James Monroe, being dated July 10, 1820. September 1, 
1829, he was brevetted captain for ten years' faithful service in one grade, by Presi- 
dent Andrew Jackson, to rank from April 20, 1828. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 31 

During this period he was stationed at Newport, R. I., Portland, Me., New York 
city, and Old Point Comfort, Va. In April, 1828, he was placed in command of the 
arsenal at Rome, N. Y., where he remained until December 31, 1834, when he re- 
signed. At this time he had been ordered to rejoin his regiment and proceed to 
Florida, but the health and care of his family compelled him to send in a resignation. 
He then engaged in farming near Trenton Falls until January 6, 1838, when upon the 
recommendation of Generals Scott, Wood, and Worth, he was appointed military 
storekeeper to succeed Capt. Samuel Perkins, deceased, in charge of the Rome 
arsenal, his commission being signed by President John Tyler and dated May 30, 
1844. He held this post until May 7, 1855, when he turned over the arsenal to Capt. 
D. B. Sackett for a recruiting station. Captain Abeel was then in command of the 
Detroit U. S. arsenal at Dearborn, Mich., till April, 1863, when he returned to Rome and 
had charge as military storekeeper of the arsenal here until February 16, 1870, when he 
was placed on the rehired list. Except the brief period spent in farming he served 
for fifty-seven years in the military service of the U. S. government. He died in De- 
cember, 1871, being at that time the oldest commissioned officer of the army. 

Captain Abeel was an excellent soldier, an accomplished musician, and a man of 
extensive reading. His dignified military bearing and habits of preci-ion made him 
a conspicuous figure wherever he went. His profession was that of arms, yet he 
possessed a natural love for agricultural pursuits. He was a typical gentleman of 
the old school. He was endowed with great natural wit and humor, a lively artistic 
and literary conception, and all the tastes of a warlike imagination. In common 
with nearly all men trained solely to army life he was ignorant of the complications 
of practical business affairs. He was quite popular, although noted for his pro- 
nounced personality, and throughout Central New York enjoyed a wide acquaint- 
ance and the respect of all. In person he was very particular, even fastidious, and 
in deportment he was as punctual as the clock. 

November 16. 1826, Captain Abeel was married in New York city to Miss Mary 
Powell Seymour, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Powell) Seymour, of New- 
burg, N. Y., and niece of Jacob and Thomas Powell, merchants, of that place. She 
died December 28, 1888, aged eighty-three. They had seven children: John Neil- 
son and William Seymour, deceased; Isabella, of Rome; Thomas Powell and Al- 
fred, of Waco, Texas; Augusta, wife of Lieut.-Col. F. H. Parker, ordnance depart- 
ment U. S. A. ; and James M., deceased. 



THOMAS G. NOCK. 

Thomas Gill Nock was born at Brierly Hill, near Dudley, Staffordshire, England, 
February 14, 1829, his birthplace being his maternal grandfather's home. A few 
weeks later he was baptized in the parish church by his mother's rector, and received 
the name of his mother's father, Thomas Gill, who was a robust, fine appearing man, 
active, generous hearted, untiring in his work, and a firm believer in God. When 
fifty years of age Mr. Nock was the counterpart of Mr. Gill— having the same per- 
fectly shaped head, the high forehead, the intelligent face, the business foresight. 



32 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

the untii'ing energy, the unselfish generosity. When three years old the child left 
Brierly Hill with his parents and came to America. In his eighth year he returned 
to England with his father on a visit to his birthplace, and this event proved a memorable 
one in his life, making a lasting impression upon his then youthful mind. When 
he returned to his home at Ramapo, N. Y., he was sent to a private school for two 
vears, after which a tutor was brought to the house for him. This teacher was James 
Stewart, a graduate of Edinburgh University, and he was continued in this capacity 
for several years. When fifteen young Nock went to New York city for special in- 
struction for one term in a private school. Returning to Ramapo he entered the office 
of a cotton mill, where he remained some months. His life in Ramapo wasreally one 
of studying the manufacture of steel, but he was often in the woods, on the "Tuxe- 
do," and along the mountain streams with rod and gun. He loved nature, and more 
than once climbed the noted "Torn," but he was learning the secret of the earth's 
metals. His father, George Nock a man of great ability, of strong will and charac- 
ter, and skilled in metallurgy, helped him to a practical knowledge of iron and .steel. 
The father was true and sincere in his religious life, and taught his children and all men 
his faith and practice by example. The son learned much from this teaching, and slow- 
ly but finally strengthened that character and personality which in the man were so 
marked. There was that in his make-up which happily mingled the characteristics of 
his maternal and paternal ancestry. Joseph Nock, his paternal grandfather, was a 
country squire, an active, positive, and determined man in whatever he attempted. 
The family coat of arms suggests the character of the descendants. On the shield is 
a bend between three annulets, or, on a field of azure. The crest is a dexter hand 
brandishing a scimetar. The motto is "/;/ tenebris servare fidetn." 

Mr. Nock removed in early life from Ramapo to Windsor Locks, Conn., where he 
married Miss Caroline M., only daughter of Royal Prouty, who survives him. There 
he was the assistant superintendent, bookkeeper and paymaster of the E. G. Ripley 
& Co. iron and steel works, which position he held until he removed to Syracuse, N. 
Y., assuperintendent of a large iron roUingmill, since converted into the present Syra- 
cuse Tube Works. In 1864 he came to Rome, Oneida county, to supervise the erection 
of the Rome iron mill, and continued as its general supermtendent until the building 
of the New York Locomotive works in this city in 1882, when he was elected presi- 
dent of that corporation, a position he held until his death on April 20, 1890. The 
ground for the locomotive works was broken September 17, 1881. and the company 
was formed in May, 1882. Mr. Nock was largely instrumental in starting that con- 
cern, which carried on under his supervision and management a successful business 
in the manufacture of railroad locomotives and engines. He was a man of great 
executive ability, of sound judgment and foresight, and of wonderful force of char- 
acter. 

He was for many years prior to his death the president of the First National Bank, 
a director in the Central Bank, and in fact a stockholder in all the banks in Rome. 
As a financier his ability and integrity were widely recognized. He contributed 
materially to the prosperity and general welfare of the city, and sustained and en- 
couraged every beneficent enterprise. He was public spirited and generous to a 
fault, and bore the confidence of the entire community. A Republican in politics he 
took a lively interest in the welfare of his party and never failed to work for its ad- 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 33 

vancement. He was the first fire commissioner appointed in Rome and served con- 
tinually as the president of the board from its oi-ganization until his death. He gen- 
erously supported the cause of religion and education, and in all matters of a public 
nature was ever foremost and active. He was very kind hearted, benevolent to the 
poor and needy, and never missed an opportunity of aiding the unfortunate. 

Mr. Nock was survived by three brothers : Revs. Edwin Gaines and Joseph A. Nock, 
Episcopal clergymen in Philadelphia and Jersey City respectively, and George F. 
Nock, a commission merchant of New York. He is also survived by four sisters. 
Of his five children three are living, namely: Dr. Thomas G., jr., a practicing 
physician, one of the coroners ol Oneida county for several years, and one of the fire 
commissioners of Rome; George P., of New York city; and Mrs. Claude C. Coan, of 
Clinton, Iowa. His widow resides in Rome. 



CYRUS DAN PRESCOTT. 

The first American ancestor of the Prescott family of which the subject of this 
sketch is a lineal descendant, was John, a grandson of Sir James Prescott and his 
wife, daughter of Roger Standish, lord and lady of the manor of Dryby in Lincoln- 
shire, England. John Prescott, (1) settled in Boston, Mass., in 1640. and the line of 
his posterity is as follows: (2) Jonas, (3) Jonas, (4) Ebenezer, (5) Oliver, (6) Oliver, (7) 
Jeremiah, (8) Cyrus D. Oliver (5) was born May 5, 1735. married Bethiah Under- 
wood, served in the war of the Revolution, and died January 1, 1803. Oliver (6) was 
born in Westford, Mass., February 22, 1760, married Keziah Howard, and moved to 
Jeffrey, N. H., and thence in 1793 to New Hartford, Oneida county, where he pur- 
chased 500 acres of unbroken forest land. He was a Hfelong farmer, and died in that 
town in December, 1843. Jeremiah Prescott (7 )was born in New Hartford on Au- 
gust 4, 1806, was first a farmer and subsequently a tin and iron manufacturer, and 
afterwards admitted to practice as attorney and counselor at law in 1864, and 
died there May 12, 1872. He was a justice of the peace about thirty years, at one 
time under sheriff of the county, and held several other local offices. His wife, Deb- 
orah Linnemann, was born near Amsterdam, N. Y., December 15, 1805, and died 
May 5, 1874. Her father, Johan Linnemann, was born in Viele, Denmark, February 
16, 1759, was brought to America in 1768, and settled near Amsterdam, where he 
died. He served m the Revolutionary war, and married for his wife Catherine Six- 
berry, who died in Ohio, December 19, 1863, aged 101 years, six months and thirteen 
days. 

Hon. Cyrus D. Prescott, son of Jeremiah, was born in New Hartford, on the 15th 
of August, 1836, and finished his literary education at the Utica Free Academy. He 
then spent about one year each in the law offices of O. G. Kellogg and Hurd & Brown, 
in Utica, and at the end of that period entered the county clerk's office, where he re- 
mained a little more than two years as search clerk. In 1858 he came to Rome and 
resumed his legal studies in the office of Johnson & Boardman, which firm soon became 
Foster, Johnson, Boardman & Lynch. Mr. Prescott was admitted to the bar at the 
Syracuse General term in the summer of 1859, and began the practice of his profess 
K 



34 OUR CIT\^ AND ITS PEOPLE. 

ion in the spring of 1860 in Rome under the firm name of Greene & Prescott, which 
continued until January 1, 1865. After spending the years 1865 and 1866 in travel- 
ing through the South and West he went to New York in January, 1867, as financial 
clerk for a wholesale establishment. In the spring of 1868 he returned to Rome and 
in June formed a co-partnership with D. Minor K. Johnson, formerly of the firm of 
Foster, Johnson, Boardman & Lynch, under the style of Johnson & Prescott. This 
firm continued a large law practice until Mr. Johnson's death in July, 188G. Mr. 
Prescott remained alone till August 1, 1895, when the present copartnership of Pres- 
cott & Titus was formed by the admission of Charles T. Titus. 

Mr. Prescott has been a staunch Republican since the organization of that party. 
He has always taken an active interest in political affairs, and has frequently been 
called to positions of trust and responsibility. He was adjutant of the 101st Regt. 
N. Y. State Militia for a time, was alderman from the Fifth ward of Rome one term, 
member and secretary of the Board of Education three years, and in 1878 repre- 
sented this district in the assembly, where he was chairman of the committee on 
railroads. In the fall of 1878 and again in 1880 he was elected to Congress by hand- 
some majorities, which attested his popularity throughout this congressional district. 
In the 46th Congress, during his second term, he was chairman of the celebrated 
committee on apportionment and brought in the bill for reapportioning the member- 
ship of the various States. This was the leading feature of that session, and the 
part Mr. Prescott bore in the long and bitter fight which ensued redounds to his 
lasting credit. So far as New York State was concerned his bill was passed without 
material change. He drew up and secured the passage in the 45th Congress of a 
bill authorizing the appropriation of $5,000 for the construction of the Ori&kany 
monument in honor of General Herkimer. Among the various important com- 
mittees of which he was a member was the committee on the improvement of the 
Mississippi River, and in this connection he was one of five cemmissioners appointed 
by Congress to inspect and report upon the condition of the levees along that stream 
below St. Louis. In both Congresses he had charge of several measures affecting his 
county, all of which became laws. His legislative career, both as assemblyman and 
as representative, was characterized by untiring faithfulness to public trust and by 
continued watchfulness over the interests of his constituents. As a citizen he has 
alwavs <=!ncouraged every project which promised benefit to the community. 

June 31, 1867, Mr. Prescott was married to Miss Eliza F. Cady, a native of Madi- 
son county, and a daughter of Daniel Cady, of Yonkers, N.Y., but formerly of Rome. 
They have four children: G. Linnemann, a graduate of the Rome Academy and now 
a resident of Rome; Elizabeth C. (Mrs. Clifton B. White), of Brooklyn, N. Y. ; and 
Mabclle T. and Ruth Andrea, at home. 



W. J. p. KINGSLEY, M.D. 

Wii-LEY J. P. KiNGSLEY, M.D., mayor of the city of Rome, N. Y., a son of Obediah 
and Lovina (Tucker) Kingsley, and was born on a farm in Frankfort, Herkimer 
county, four miles east of Utica, on July 9, 1824. His grandfather, Jedediah Kings- 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 35 

ley, came from Rhode Island to Utica when that city contained but one frame l)uild- 
ui<^\ he soon moved to Herkimer county and died there. 

l>r. Kingsley obtained his education by his own efforts. Reared on a farm amid 
the deprivations of the pioneer life of those early days his advantages at district 
schools were necessarily limited, but by continued exertion he was enabled to attend 
Whitestovvn Seminary, from which he was graduated. He read medicine with Drs. 
Charles B. Coventry and D. G. Thomas, of Utica, and took a two years' course at 
the Geneva Medical College. In March, 1855, he was graduated with the degree of 
M.D. from the New York Medical College and the same year began the practice of 
his prolession in Utica. In the spring of 1856 he came to Rome, where he has ever 
since resided. For many years he was engaged in a large general surgical practice, 
having at one time a more extensive professional business than any other physician 
in the city. Finally cancer cases presented themselves in such constantly increasing 
numbers that he was obliged to devote most of his time to their treatment, and 
eventually abandoned his family practice altogether. He now confines his attention 
exclusively to the treatment of cancer, chronic diseases, and to surgery, having spe- 
cially equipped hospitals for the purpose. He has treated over 40. 000 cancer cases, 
and enjoys almost a world wide reputation for skill and success. 

Dr. Kingsley has been president of the Farmers' National Bank since its organiza- 
tion, and was president of its predecessor, the Bank of Rome, which was incorporated 
as a State bank m 1865 He was one of the incorporators of the Central New York 
Institution for Deaf Mutes in Rome in 1875 and served as its vice-president until 
1895, when he was elected president. He was president of the old Rome Iron Works 
and is now vice-president of the Rome Brass and Copper Company, the Rome Cem- 
etery Association, and the Jervis Literary Association, tie was one of the directors 
of the locomotive works, and is heavily interested in many other business enterprises. 
He is the largest individual tax payer in the city. In charitable and benevolent move- 
ments he is always a prominent factor, and no project promising benefit to the com- 
munity fails to receive his substantial aid and encouragement. Public spirited, en- 
terprising, liberal, and kind hearted, he is widely respected as a citizen as well as a 
successful physician. The Y. M. C. A., the City Hospital, and numerous other 
similar objects, as well as nearly every important commercial or manufacturing 
enterprise, have felt the impulse of his aid and benevolence. In politics he has 
always been a staunch Republican, but has never sought office or public preferment. 
At the charter election in March, 1895, he was elected mayor of the city of Rome, 
though a Democratic stronghold, by a handsome majority, and his service in that 
capacity has been characterized by fidelity, impartiality, and general satisfaction. 

December 4, 186U, Dr. Kingsley was married to Miss Georgeanna M. Vogel, 
daughter of Henry C. Vogel, D.D., for many years pastor of the Baptist church at 
Rome. They have had three sons : Burt A. , who died aged two years, three months, 
and thirteen days; George L., who was graduated from Yale College in 1886 and 
from Harvard Medical College in 1890, appointed house surgeon to the Massachusetts 
General Hospital, and died there September 25, 1890; and Willey L., also a graduate 
of Yale College, class of 1886, and of Harvard Medical College in 1890, who, after 
receiving his diploma as M.D., formed a partnership with his father under the style 
of W J. P. Kingsley & Son, which still continues. In 1891 Dr. and Mrs. Kingsley 



36 OtJR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

erected in the Rome Cemetery a handsome memorial chapel, and in the same year 
equipped the new gymnasium of Yale University at New Haven, Conn., both in 
memory of their deceased son, Dr. George L. 



GORDON N. BIvSSELL. 

Gordon Needham BissELL was born in Onondaga county, N. Y., September 11 
1806, and spent his early life at Onondaga Hollow near Syracuse, where his father, 
Dr. John Devotion Bissell, was a pioneer physician. The family is of French Hu- 
guenot descent, and immediately after the massacre of St. Bartholomew in 1572 many 
of the name fled to England to escape persecution. Their coat of arms, which was 
of a religious rather than of a warlike character, is thus described in Burke's "Com- 
plete Armory:" "Bissell, Git. on a bend, or.; three escallops, jrt. Crest, a. (\.em\- 
eagle with wings displayed, sa. : charged on neck with an escallop shell, or." The 
first and only one of the name known to have come to America was John Bissell, 
who, tradition asserts, arrived with his family at Plymouth, Mass., from Somerset- 
shire, England, in 1628. In 1639 he was one of a prospecting party authorized to 
select a site for a colony in what is now Connecticut and the next year he became 
one of the founders of Windsor, where he received the monopoly of the Scantic Ferry. 
He was the first settler on the east side of the Connecticut river and died in 1677, 
aged eighty-six, leaving children whose posterity are numerous, energetic, and re- 
spected unto the present day. The ancestry of Gordon N. Bissell is as follows: (1) 
John, the pioneer; (2) John, jr., died 1693; (3) Daniel, born 1663, died 1738; (4) Ezek- 
iel, born 1705, died in Torringford, Conn. ; (5) Ebenezer, born 1743, married Lucy 
Roberts; (6) Dr. John D., who in old age moved to Chicago, 111., and died in Sep- 
tember, 1856; and (7) Gordon N. Dr. Bissell married Elizabeth Forman, of Onon- 
daga Valley, whose brother. Judge Joshua Forman, was an early influential citizen 
of Onondaga county, and the maternal grandfather of Gov. Horatio Seymour. 

Gordon N. Bissell was educated at the Onondaga Academy and spent several 
years of his early manhood with Judge Forman in North Corolina. In 1837 he came 
to Rome, Oneida county, and commenced the construction of the Black River canal 
as a contractor, and two years later removed to North Western, where he also opened 
a general store. In the fall of 1842 work was suspended on the canal and in Feb- 
ruary, 1843, Mr. Bissell, after disposing of his mercantile business, returned to Rome, 
where he purchased the drug store of Dr. H. H. Pope. The following summer he 
formed a partnership with Benjamin N. Leonard, under the style of Bissell & Leon- 
ard, and consolidated the drug business of Chesebro & Leonard with his own. In 
1844 the firm moved to what is now 117 West Dominick street, where the establish- 
ment has ever since been located, and known as the checkered store. After Mr. 
Leonard's death in June, 1853, Mr. Bissell continued alone until his oldest son, 
Charles F., attained his majority, when the firm became G. N. Bissell & Son. In 
April, 1862, Charles F. withdrew and another son, John G., was admitted. In 1883 
Mr. Bissell retired and the business was continued by John G. Bissell and James A 
Owens, as J. G. Bissell & Co., until July 1, 1895, when Mr. Owens withdrew, leaving 
the proprietorship in the hands of John G. Bissell, the present owner. 



BIOGRAPHICAL, 37 

Mr. Bissell was for many years actively identified with the bankinj;- interests of 
Rome. He was a tlirector and for some time the vice-president of the old Hank of 
Rome and one of the organizers of the Rome Exchange Hank (now the First National), 
of which he was several j'ears the president. He was for many years president of 
the Rome Savings Bank and of the Rome Gas Light Company, holding both posi- 
tions at the time of his death, which occurred February H), 1891. He was one of the 
chief promoters and organizers of the Rome Iron Works (now the Rome Brass and 
Copper Company) and also of the Rome Cemetery Association, of which he was long 
a trustee. 

In all public improvements and enterprises he took a great interest, and worked 
for the prosperity and advancement of the city. He was an advocate of plank 
roads in early days, and later of railroads, manufacturing industries and all that 
promoted the welfare of the town. He was one of the best known and most 
respected citizens of Rome; a man of rare personal worth, and held in high esteem. 
His name was the synonym for integrity, honesty, and fair dealing; his religion he 
took with him into all his business relations. He was noted for his earnestness, his 
honesty of purpose, his perfect candor, and his fairness; he would allow no imposi- 
tion upon any person with whom he did business or came into contact. He repre- 
sented all things exactly as they were, and rather than allow his customer to suffer 
he would himself take the consequences. 

Mr. Bissell was a Democrat in politics, but never wanted office, although he was 
frequently urged to accept nominations. His only public position was that of village 
trustee. He was one of the oldest members of Zion Episcopal church, and for thirty 
years was vestryman or warden. When he wished to retire on account of advancing 
years, a short time before his death, his colleagues, in recognition of his judgment 
and experience, made him warden emeritus. 

February 3, 1829, Mr. Bissell married Miss Luthera Ward, daughter of William 
Ward, a pioneer of Manlius, Onondaga county. She was born February 3, 1808, 
and died September .20, 1856, leaving six children who attained majority, viz.: 
Mary L., Margaret A., John G., and Laura (Mrs. Frank B. Haff), of Rome; Charles 
F., of Austin, Texas; and William W., of New Rochelle, N. Y. 



JAMES H. SEARLES. 

Thk subject of this sketch was born in Belleville, Jefferson county, N. V., August 
G, 1832. He was the son of Martha Gott Ransom and James H. Searles, who was a 
leading merchant in the town of Ellisburgh many years. Mr. Searles came to Rome 
January 1, 1867, since which time he has been in the banking, real estate and insur- 
ance business. A zealous, broad natured citizen, always in sympathy with any good 
and able enterprise that might be for public advancement. 

He was twice married. First, to Frances Barrilla, daughter of Ebcnezer and Mol- 
lie Stark Webster, June 19, 1859. Three children were born by that union— James 
Webster Searles, of Salt Lake City, Utah, Katherine Mary, wife of Dr. Jay Hatha- 
way Utley, of Los Angeles, California, and Jenny Frances, born April 29, 1860, at 



38 OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Kalamazoo, Mich., died October 12, 1880. Second to Eloise Catherine, daughter of 
John Milton and Marj' Abbott Runmey, April 18, 1872. Four children were born 
to them : John Rumney Searles, Charles Noble Searles, Elizabeth Porter Searles, 
and Martha Eloise Searles, born February 4, 1879, at Rome, died February 23, 1880. 
Eloise C. Searles is a grand niece of Newton Mann, whose portrait appears in this 
work. 



WILLIAM E. SCRIPTURE. 

Hon. Wii.i.iAM E. Scripture, justice of the Supreme Court, was born in the town 
of Westmoreland, Oneida county, N. Y., November 2, 1843. He descends, on his 
father's side, from Sterling Welsh ancestry, whose first American representative 
emigrated to this country and settled in New Hampshire about the year 1700. His 
grandfather, Hiram Scripture, was a native of Tolland county, Conn., and in 1797 
came to Westmoreland, where he married, in March, 1798, Miss Elizabeth Parker, a 
native of Boston, whose parents were born in Ireland. He died there, aged seventy- 
seven, as did al.so his wife, at the age of ninety-three. Her family settled in West- 
moreland about 1794 Parker A. Scripture, son of Hiram, was born in that town 
October 28, 1814, spent his life upon a farm there, and in 1874 came to Rome, where 
he was accidentally killed October 26, 1875. He married Miss Harriet Standish 
Snow, daughter of Wilson Snow, who survives him. She was born in Plymouth, 
Mass., and is a lineal descendant of Capt. Miles Standish, one of the Pilgrims of the 
Mayflower and captain of the Plymouth colony, whom Longfellow immortalized in 
the celebrated poem, "The Courtship of Miles Standish." She is also descended 
from the Murdock family, whose ancestor came over soon after 1620. They had 
three children: Sarah E. (Mrs. C. H. Steele), William E., and Phebe P. 

Judge Scripture was reared on the parental farm in Westmoreland and in early 
life attended the district schools of that town. He was graduated from Whitestown 
Seminary in 1865 and in the fall of that year entered Hamilton College in the class 
of ]SG9. Illness, however, compelled him to give up a cherished collegiate course 
and turn his attention to healthier exercise. By the autumn of 1866 his health was 
sufficiently restored to enable him to enter the Albany Law School, where he was 
admitted to the bar in Ma}', 1867. He then came to Rome as managing clerk in 
the law office of Beach & Bailey, whence he left in January, 1868 to begin the active 
practice of his profession in Canastota, N. Y., under the firm name of Hutchins & 
Scripture. In the fall of that year he returned to Rome, where he has ever since 
re.sided. Here he first resumed practice under the name of Weld & Scripture, but 
one year later formed a copartnership with Homer T. Fowler as Scripture &■ 
Fowler. Subsequently he was associated with George H. Weaver, E. M. Pavey, and 
O. P. Backus, and since 1892 has practiced alone. 

Judge Scripture is widely recognized as an able, conscientious, and reliable coun- 
selor, well versed in the practice of the law, and qualified by nature for a success- 
ful and influential advocate. An unswerving Republican he has for several years 
taken an active part in politics, working for the good of his party as one of its 
popular leaders. For nearly four years he served as postmaster at Rome under 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 



39 



President Harrison, and in November, 1895, was elected justice of the Supreme 
Court by the largest majority given to any candidate in this district on the Repub- 
lican ticliet. 

In August, 1867, Judge Scripture was married to Miss Emma C. Goodwin daugh- 
ter of Israel F. Goodwin, of Westmoreland. They have had eight children: May 
Staudish, Mina Emma, Ella Goodwin, Emma Harriet, Ruth. Vina, Pari<er Fairfield 

and William. ' 



J. ARTHUR SMITH, V. S. 

J. Arthur Smith, V. S , was born and reared in thetown of Westmoreland, Oneida 
county. He now owns and occupies the homestead of both his father and grand- 
father. They came to the town in 1842 and purchased the farm lying southwest of 
Rome in the most fertile and attractive part of the county. They came from Chester 
England, and were from the most intelligent and thrifty stock of that country. James 
Smith, father of the subject of this sketch and portrait herewith, was also a veteri- 
nary surgeon before coming to this country, having attained an advanced standing 
in the profession. He continued in the practice during his life in Westmoreland and 
was counted one of the most successful in Oneida county. He was well known 
throughout a wide region of territory. Besides this he was among the foremost 
farmers of the State. He was industrious, prudent and prosperous, and moreover 
an upright, respected citizen. His ideas of thrift in farming, which had been a part 
of his education in England, were applied in the same line here, with the result that 
he made and developed one of the finest and most valuable farm properties to be 
found among the many attractive farm realties in the town. He was also an exten- 
sive dealer in horses, and invested considerable money in the business. He married 
Mary Ann Gypson, of Westmoreland, by whom he had three sons, Willard R., 
Charles G., and James Arthur. Willard R. is a resident of Bufl:'alo, N. W, and 
Charles G. is in business in Chicago. Dr. James Smith, the father, died in 1891 ; 
Mrs. Smith, his wife, is still living. 

Dr. J. Arthur Smith was born on this homestead May 11, 1861, where he has spent 
the greater part of his life. He received the rudiments of his education at the district 
school in Westmoreland and afterwards took a course at the old Whitestown Semi- 
nary. Subsequently he attended the New York Veterinary College with the view to 
continuing the profession in wdiich both his father and grandfather had achieved 
success. He has therefore grown up in the practice, and this long experience and 
thorough knowledge of the science has given him the foundation for his unu.sual 
success. But in addition to this he carries on the farm with quite as much or more 
ability as those who devote themselves to that one industry. 

Dr. Smith is an earnest Republican in politics and always takes a deej) interest iq 
the party's behalf. 



INDEX 



Abbott, W. J., 231 
Abell, Clarissa, 15, 

Lynden, (50, 90, 97, 123 

Zaccheus, <i, 14, 19 
Academy, Rome, 139 
Adams, A. K., 46, 101 

Foundry and Machine Works, 225 

H. L., 6 

Henry V., 225 

Horace, 117 

Sanford, 45, 179, 225, 244, 24() 

William, 12 

William N., 23 
Aiken, James, 145 
Alden, Dr., 80 

Enoch, Dr., 25 

Harriet, 83 
Aldridge, Susie C, 144 
Alexander, Georsje, 129 
Altenbrandt, C.,-22() 
Allen, Dr., 25 

E. A., 46 

John P., 161 
Amidon, V. O., 129 
Anderson, Ashbel, 107 
Andrews, Emerson, Rev., 154 
Andrus, David I., 4, 6, 36, 38, 106 
Armstrong Company, J. W., 229 

Enoch B., 41, 45, 46, 59, 64, 82, 101, 
109, 161, 167 

Gorman G., 133 

H. S., 45 

Jesse, 41, 45, 58, 74, 82, 101, 107, 116, 
178, 243 

J. J., 45 

J. & E. B., 127 

Wheeler, 117, 190 
Arsenal, United vStates, 88 
Ashby, George, Daniel and John, 5 

John and Daniel, 6 
Atkinson, John F., 136, 225 

William. 125 

William H., 235 

Backus, Oswald P., 136, 245 



Bacon, F. E., 230 
Bailey, A. J., 140 

Latimer, 22 
Baker, Comstock, 117 

John S., 134-136, 145, 164, 208 

L. H., 232 

& Fox, 232 
Baldwin, G. W., 244 

H. C, 238 

Sylvester C, 135 
Ball, l^homas, 127 
Bank, Central National, 197 

P'armers' National, 190 

First National, 188 

Fort Stanwix National, 191 

Oneida County Savings, 189 

petition for charter for a, 186 

Rome Savings, 189 
Bancroft, D. C, 85 
Bapti.st church, 153 
Bar of Rome, the, 192 
Barbour, A. D., 246 

J. J., Dr., 244 
Barker, Newman, 104 
Barnard, C. F., 189 

Edward, 199, 224 

Fred M., 232 

George, 45, 46, 133, 134 

sr. , George, 66 

jr., George, 46 

Henry, 190 

James E., 228 

John, 29, 31, 58, 67, 85, 86, 98, 102 
Barnes, Rufus, 7, 41 

Wheeler, 41, 44. 52. 53, 79, 91, 108. 
149; sketch of, 192 
Barringer, R. H., 144 
Barrows, N., Rev., 156 
Bartlett, Russell, 108, 113 
Bates, Daniel, 113 
Battin, Stephen, Rev., 155 
Baynes, George W., 239 

William, 134 
Beach, B. J., 45, 140, 189; sketch of, 206 

Chauncey, 54 



42 



OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 



Beach, H. H., Dr., 129 

S. H. & B. H., 225 
Beardsley, Samuel, 40, 43, 79; sketch of, 

196; 243 
Beecham, William, Rev., 156 
Beers, Franklin B., 133, 134, 178 

Sara A., 144 
Bedell, Harvey S., 136, 145, 164, 209, 246 
Bellamy, David, Rev., 154 
Benedict, Stephen, 36 
Bennett, Alanson, 44, 45, 58, 73, 77, 91, 

105, 118, 178 
Bergen, T. J., Dr., 129 
Bettis, Andrew C, 189 
Bicknell, Francis. 44, 45, 57, 91, 117, 126, 
179 

George P., 77, 83, 244, 246 
Bielby, Annie E., 144 
Bill, Horace N., 60, 114, 179 
Bingham, George, 239 

R. M., 100, 159, 190 
Binks, William T., 165, 235 
Birnie, M. J., 229 
Bissell, Charles F., 46, 231 

G. N., 27, 45, 128, 167, 188-190, 231 

John, 103 

J. G., 128, 167, 172, 189, 190, 221, 231 
Blair, Arba, Dr., 25, 43, 74, 75, 129 

A. B., 91, 108 
Blazier, Henry, 12 
Bliss, W. B., 207 
Bloomfield, John W., 44, 148 
Bloss, B. G., 99 
Boardman, Derrick L., 167, 246 

George S., 153 
Bowers, George, 165 
Bowman, Alex., 16 
Boylan, Edward, 134 
Bradley, Gordon M., Rev., 156 
Bradt, John B., 64, 76, 81, 91, 106, 129, 

179 
Braton, Herve}% 189 
Brainard, Israel, Rev., 151 

Jeptha, 6 

Jeremiah B., 94 

J. Burr, 94, 95 

J. B., 91 

Jonathan, 6 

Jonathan B., 57 

M. L.,45, 97 

Warren G. , 83 
Brainerd, A. H., 52, 53, 115, 142, 159 

&Son, A. H., 85 

J. Millard, 135, 237 

Nathaniel, 12 
Breweries, 227 
Brewster, John C, 35 
Briggs, Allen, 41, 81, 114, 118 



Briggs, Alva, 129 

Clark, 181 

Joseph, 7 

Leonard, 136, 165 

Lymau, 44, 57, 64, 65, 68, 81 

R. C, 134, 206 
Brockett, Frank E., 233 

J. W., 233 
Brockway, William, 243 
Brodock, Bartholomew, 3 

George H., 47, 132 
Broker, Frank, 135 
Brooks, Merritt, 109 
Brower, A. C, 246 
Brown, Charles, 76, 111, 118 

George, 41, 44 

George, Dr., 84 

Giles K., 132 

Holloway, 86, 96 

Mathew, 26. 35, 37. 147 

Mathew, Dr., 53, 58, 59, 74 

jr., Mathew, Dr., 25, 31, 38, 183 

Richard, 25 

jr., Richard, 25 

S. S., Rev., 130 
Bruce, Albert, 238 
Bryden, John, 76, 176 
Buck, Mary L. 144 

Buildings from American Hotel to Wash- 
ington street before fire of 1846, list of, 
62 
Bullock, Abby, 61, 83 
Burgess, Nathan B., Rev., 155 
Burke, J. M., 181 
Burli.son, Moulton M., 133 
Burns, Michael, 45, 85 

Thomas, 165 
Burr, William M., 221 
Burrows, Elisha, 65 
BL-shnell, Albert, Rev., 18 

George, Rev., 153 

Horace, Rev., 14, 17, 23 

Jason, 17, 18 
Business interests in 1848, 125-130 
Butler, Norman, 95 

Ormond, 52, 100 

Richard, 154 
Butterfield, S. R., 83, 90 
Butts, Daniel, 10, 16, 20, 39 

Elihu. 10, 16, 20 

Gideon, 15, 16, 19, 148, 149 

John, 15, 19 

Ruby, Daniel and Elihu, children ol 
Gideon, 15 
Byam, Ernest E., 181 
Byron-Curtis, A. L., Rev., 160 

Cackett S. G., 239 



INDEX. 



43 



Cadwell, Henry, 8(5 

Cady, Daniel, 4;i, 126 

Campbell, Benjamin H., Rev., 1"):3 

Edward, 185 
Canal route, change of, 70 

village in early years, 94-101 
Canfield, James A., 154 
Canterbury Hill, 14-28 
Capron, Jay, 135 
Carey, Lawrence, 184-186 
Carley, J. I., 108 
Carmichael, Charles, 186, 210 
Carmody, Patrick, 185 
Carnahan, James, Rev., 151 
Carpenter, Erwin C, 234, 228 
Carr, Egbert E., 181 

Horatio N., 32, 92, 99, 154 
Carroll, James H., 47, 118, 129 

Jeremiah H., 185 

K., 140, 141 
Gary, D., Rev., 153 
Case, H. C, 46 

Lorenzo D., Rev., 161 
Casey, Thomas, 188 
Casserl3^ William J., 185 
Caswell, HeddingA., 184-186 

W. A., 159 

W. N., 118 
Catlin, Anna, 144 
Cemetery, 166 
Central New York Institution for Deaf 

Mutes, 190 
Chamberlain, J. R., 245 
Chapman, J. C.,237 
Chappell, Morris, 90, 126 
Chase, A. P., 165, 229 
Cheesebrough & Leonard, 57 
Childs, Jesse, 5, 6 
Churchill, A. W., 103 
City charter, 181 

civil list, 182-186 

Hall, 165 
Claflin, Ebenezer, 85 
Clark, Adella S., 144 

Festus, 118 

Harriet L., 144 

Jonathan B., 12 

N. M., 108 
Clarke, Dr., 19 

Elizabeth W., 144 

H. L. M., Rev., 119, 156 

Marion J., 144 
Cleveland, Palmer, 86 
Clinton, George, 4, 5 
Coan, Ambrose, 118 
Cobb, J. v., Dr., 67, 71. 137 
Colbraith, William, Col., 37 
Colboru, Asa. 10, 19 



Colborn, Asa, family of, 21 

L. Manning, 21 

Nabby, 21 ' 

Walter, 20, 100, 241 
Cole, A. W., 45, 113, 115, 130 

L., 167 

Peter, 188 

Samuel M., 133 
Collins, James, 33 

Oliver, 241 
Colt, Peter, 8, 33, 36, 147 
Comstock, Calvert, 50. 59, 116, 127, 132, 
145, 167, 176-179, 188 

Edward, 134, 135, 139, 144-14(), 172, 
190, 231, 322 

Elon, 118, 130, 177 

Theodore S. , 164 

& Beach. 128 
Cone, G. E., 129 
Conley, James, 226 
Connor, Peter, 133 
Converse, H. H., 167 
Corcoran, James, 132 

James D., 188, 134, 183 
Corni.sh, G. R., 209 

Silas, 246 
Court house and jail, the first, 109 
Covel, Ephraim, 26 
Coventrv, Alexander, 6 
Cowles, J. A., Dr.. 126 
Cox. Samuel. 389 
Coyle. P. H., 116 
Cozier, Ezra S., 245 
Cramond, W. J., 133-186, 237, 246 
Cross, Anna E., 144 

J. H., 226 
Cummings, Mary, 144 

Edward W. , 233 

John, 383 
Curtm, Timothy, 208 
Curtis. E. W., 105 
Cushman, Charles W., 245 

Dale, Arthur L., 244 
Dallaba, James, 116 
Dana, L. D., 179 
Darrow. Plinv, 48, 108 

& Soper, '108 
Davenport, Cvrus, 149 

Dennis. 44. 71, 79 
Davies, William H., 132, 184, 388 
Davis, George W.. 133, 188, 336 

M. M., 136 

Samuel H., 13 

Seth, Rev., 155 
Davison. Marion E., 144 
Day. George W.. 384 
Dayton. Charles W., 165 



44 



OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 



Dean, Bradford C, 41, 129 

Mary E., 144 
Deering, N. H., Dr., 107 
Delano, G. W., 105 
Denio, C. D., 7 

Hiram, 53, 154; sketch of, 200 
Dennison, C. M., 118, 128 
W., 159 
William G., 11 
Dering, Sylvester, 3 
Derrick, Adam, 134 
De Ryther, Frank, 128, 130 

John, 132 
Dewey, Lorin, 111, 174 
Dick, Peter, 134, 135 
Dickinson, Edward, 45 
Daniel, 93 
jr., Joshua, 115 
Dietrich, A. E., Dr., 214 

Mary E., 144 
Dill, Robert, 66 

Samuel, Major, 41, 89, 148 
Dillenbeck, Jerome, 244 
Dominick street, 50 

buildings of, after fire of 184(), 
63 et seq. 
Donahue, W. A., 223 
Dorchester, E., 61, 174 
Dorr, John, 11 
Doty, Roland S., 45, 71, 111, 116, 128, 

167, 188 
Dowd, John L., 135 
Doxtater, Robert B., 71, 167, 188 

W. H., 234, 244 
Doyle, Nora M., 144 

W. J., 224 
Draper, Isaac, 61, 76, 85, 90 
Virgil, 45, 52, 79, 85, 179 
Noah, 44 
Driggs, David, 24 

John, 24 
Dudley, J. A., 126 
Dugan, Thomas, 68, 73, 87 
Dunham, Eleazer, 25 
Dunning, Charles H., 134, 183, 210 
E. O., Rev., 153 
sr., Richard, 91 
R.,97, 126 
Dunton, Leonard, 80, 84 
Durr, Jacob, 134 
Dwight, B. W., Rev., 153 

President, description of Rome by, 
33 
Dyett, James S.. 112, 126, 190, 224 

Early business and buildings, 48-62 
prominent Romans, 120-124 
settlement, 1 



Eaton, Ebeuezer, 173 
Eddy, Jonathan H., 172 

Richard, Rev., 161 
Edgerton, A. H., 45, 46, 126 
Roswell, 5, 6, 21 
& Gage, 100 
Edmonds, H., 40 
Edwards, Frank, 127 

John R., 189, 190, 230 
Thomas W., 47 
Edy, John, 84, 91 
Eels, James, Rev., 151 
Effler, Andrew, 133 
Egar, John H., Rev., 156, 245 
Ellis, John W., 221 
Ralph N., 222 
Elm Row block, 112 
Elmer Brothers, 126 
C. W., 142, 159 
Hezekiah, 24 , 

Hill, 24 

L. E., 103, 118, 119, 121, 129, 132, 
159 
Elwell, James, 46, 47, 115, 172, 234 
Ely, Henry F., David James and John, 
sons of John, 22 
John, 7, 21 
John D., 46, 74, 129, 159 
Emerson, Harmon, 126, 234 

Selden A., 243 
Englund, Lars, 136 
Erhardt, George, 136 
Ernst, John D., 135, 136 
Ethridge, Alfred, 41, 130, 132, 133, 189, 
228 

Franklin A., 228 
James M., 228 
& Co., A., 228 
Euper, Joseph L., 135 
Evans, David G., 134, 235 

Edwin, Dr., 213, 227, 244, 247 
E. M., 107 
Griffith, 235 
Hymen A., 172 
Isaac J., 211 
Thomas T., 182 
William, 235 
Expense lot, the, 27-29 

Farr, Harriet S., Mrs., 239 
Farquharson, James, 96, 115 165 
Feelin, Willard G., 135 
Fellows, Caroline, 12 

Cyrus, 12, 36 

Fanny, 12 

George P., 12 

Molly, 10 

Polly, 12 



INDEX. 



45 



Fellows, Rosvvell, 4, 10, 35, 3G 
Filei", Chauncev, 85 

Philip, 89 
Fire apparatus, first, 105 

Department, 164 

of 1846, 63 
First Methodist church, 157 

Religious Society, the, 147 

town meeting, 35 

Universalist church, 161 
Fiske, George, Rev., 155 
Fitch, J. P., 128, 180 
Flandrau, Thomas H.. Dr., 73, 144, 14(), 

189 
Flanagan, Thotnas, 46, 47 
Flint, Amos, 67, 100, 107 
Foot, N. B., 99, 100, 159 
Ford, John A., 102, 107 

Thomas, 102 
Fort Stanwix Canning Company. 223 

Stanwix Chapter, R. A. M.', 245 

Stanwix first settlers at, 3 
Foster, Bennett & Boardman, 127 

Henry A., 41, 44/58, 67, 73, 97, 99, 
175, 176, 178; sketch of, 201 

& Hayden, 104 
Fox, B. S., 233 

Hattie May, 144 
Foy, John, 133 
France, Minnie L., 144 
Fraser, jr., Charles E., Dr., 11, 189, 214 
Frear, Peter, 91 
Free Methodist church, 159 

school system, adoption of, 141 
Freer, Anna M., 144 

Gordonier, 114, 127 
French, Jasper, 5 

Jonathan, 6 
Frink, Luke, 65 
Frost & Utley, 128 
Fowler, Charles A., 136 

Homer T. , 133, 134, 223. 226 
Fuller, Ackley P., 47 

Asa, 5, 6 

Orrin J., 87 
Funk, Archibald T., 43 

Gage, EH, 107 

E. A., 45 

J. D., 96, 139, 243, 246 
Gaheen, Francis J., 227 

Lawrence, 47, 133, 134, 227 

Simon P. , 227 
Gallaudet, Thomas, Rev., 172 
Galusha, Martin, 44, 74,^93, 107 
Gas Light Company, 167 
Gates, A., 155 
Gay, Calvin B., 58, 60, 179 



Gavlord, Lewis, 40, 47 
Genvig, J. W., 239 
George, Marie E., 14-1 

William H., 135. 226 
Gibbs, John. Rev., 154 
Giehl, John. 227 
Gifford, Alden, Dr., 219 

Family, the, 216 

George G., 136 
Gilbert, Andrew, 129 

Benjamin, 5, 6, 36 

Enos, 102 

J. H., 45 

Marcus W., 89 

Nathaniel, 4 

Thomas, 41 
Giles, Henry G., 74, 90, 119. 129 
Gillett, Moses, Rev., 39, 150 

Samuel, 136 
Gillette, A. A., Dr., 214 
Gilligan, Lillian M., 145 
Gilman, Moses, 92 
Glesman, Louis, 190 
Gold, T. R., 98 

Golley, Albert H., 144-146, 229, 244, 247 
Goodier, George P., 133 

Peter, 96 
Goodrich, Chauncey, Rev., 65 
Goodwin, vSolomon, 108 
Gossman, Andrew, 134 
(touUI, Calvin, 36 

Chester, 5, 35, 36, 241 

Cicero, 53 

Ebenezer, 12 
Graham, Charles, 72 
Grant, J. Lewis, 45, 243, 244, 246 
Graves, Asa W., Ill 

H. S., 233 

James, 65 

Jerome, 133, 134, 144-146, 233, 247 
Green, Charles F., 132 

Daniel. 30, 241, 245 

J. B., 25 

Joshua G., 79 

Levi, 89, 101, 104 
Greene, Daniel, Capt., 26 

Isaac G., 26, 39, 94 

Joshua, 26 
Greenwood, Oliver, 57, 106, 116, 159 
Gregory, Almon, Rev., 155 
Griffin, Dennis, 134, 135 

Dennis J., 133 
Griswold, A. D., 180 
Grogan, James H., 134-136 

Patrick H., 135, 165 
Grosvenor, John, 133, 134 

Oliver, 74 

Ohver C, 41, 89, 104, 229 



46 



OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 



Grosvenor, Oliver D., 89 

O. D. & C. P., 128 

Oliver J., 45 
Grover, Preston H., 159 
Gubbins, J. P., 209 
Guernsey, J. J., 181 
Gurnley, G. W., 241 

Hager, Daniel, 45, 46, 133 

F. J., 232 

Henry, 92, 189 

Jacob P., 45, 82, 92 

& Agne, 111 
Hagerty, James, 132, 134 

John T., 135 

Michael, 130, 165 
Haines, Selden, Rev., 153 
Halbert, James 243 
Hale, J. C, 226 
Hall, Bessie, 172 
Halleck, Parker, 72, 83 
Halley, T. G., Mrs., 11 
Hammann, George, 82, 134, 135 
Hammill, Caleb, 62 

William, 83 
Harger & De Ryther, 103 
Harness Gazette, the, 181 
Harrington, John, 46, 129 
Harris, James H., 58, 154, 176 
Hartwell, H. H., 11, 132 

John P., Dr., 11 

Thomas, Dr., 241 
Haselton, Jonathan S., 136, 164, 220, 221 
Hathaway, A. L., 155 

Jay. 41, 44, 45, 55, 58, 59, 74, 79, 91, 
112, 129, 154, 155, 183, 184 

Joshua, 31, 36, 38, 39, 40, 43, 44, 79, 
112, 147, 159, 183, 184, 241, 242 

L., 155 
Hawley, Giles, 41, 97, 101-103, 184 
Haws, Daniel, 35 
Hayden, Charles T., 136, 164 

Chester, 58, 113, 149, 178; sketch of, 
194; 243 

Cyrus, 105, 114, 118, 132, 164 

Henry, 45, 75, 112, 127, 154 
Hayes, Joel, 105 
Hazard, Daniel W., 25 

Hoxie, 26 
Hazelton, Nathan, 46 
Healt, David, 165 

David W., 86 

John, 86 
Healy, M., 155 

Heffenstein, Jacob, Rev., 153 
Henderson, Frances G., 144 

Samuel, 95-97 
Hibbard, James E., 132 



Higgins, John B., 167, 189 

Joseph, 45, 46, 129 
Hill, Henry R., 189 

H. S., 126 

Rowland, F., 166 

W. H., 128 

Zaccheus, 45, 46, 128, 141, 145 
Hilts, Ezra, 135 
Hinckley, Eugene L., 136 

E. M., 45, 73, 130 

Gershom, 137 

I. N., 39 
Hitchcock, H. J., 190 
Hoag, Reuben, 62 
Hodge, S., 239 
Hoffman, Anthony T., 136 
Holliday, EllaM., Mrs., 172 
HoUister, Algernon S., Rev., 154 

Cornelius, 59, 88, 117 

Marquis D., 45, 68, 95, 101, 103, 105, 
123, 127, 184 
Honsinger, Abram N., 136 
Hook, Ella R., 144 

John, 46, 85, 119 
Hopkins, Charles C, 231 
Hotchkiss, C. H., 224 
Hotels, 239 

Houck, jr., George, 132, 135,236 
Hovey, J. S., 107 126 
Howard, Levi, 84 
Hower, jr., L., 228 

& Son, L., 96 
Howland, William, 179 

William L., 128 
Hoy, Barney, 97 
Hoyt, J. C, 78 
Hubbard, O. P., Prof., 104 

Stephen, 56, 74, 75 
Hughes, M. M., Rev., 161 

Welcome, 226 

& Wilkinson, 226 
Huie, H. E., 162 
Hulburt, Ralph, 56, 113 

R. H., 79 
Hungerford, Samuel, 119 

Tarsus, 92 
Huntington, Benjamin 171 

Benjamin N., 41 

Edward, 29, 45, 50, 140, 141, 145, 161, 
167, 171, 188-190 

George, 29-31, 33, 38, 40, 41, 43, 44, 
53, 69, 120, 151 

Gurdon, 69, 83, 116 

G. & H., 101 

Henry, 37, 41, 66, 69, 121 

Matthew, 118 

William R., 144-146, 167, 172, 189 
190, 220 



INDEX. 



Hutchinson, Zenas, Dr., 25 
Hyde, Bela B., 40, 43-45, 61, 87, 95-97. 
i)9, 108, 130, 161 

sr. , Benjamin, 103 

Martin, 134, 135 

Thomas J , 95, 126 

Incorporation, city, 131 

village, 43 
Irons, John E., 224 

John H.. 162 
Isenecker, Henry F., 135 
I sham, William B., 221, 222 

Jackson, William, 47, 132, 133 

Company, A. M., 229 
Jacobs, Harrison, 45, 130, 145 
Jail, burning of the, 109 
James street, 48 

north of the canal, 102-119 
Jeal, J. W., 235 
Jenks, W. O , 136 
Jennings, S., Miss, 130 
Jervis, John B., 71, 122, 171, 188 

cK: Bray ton, 71 
lewell, Thomas H., 172 
Jewett, Clarissa, 22 

Elijah, 22 

Eliza, 22 

Thomas, 7, 22 
Johnson, Benjamin P., 40, 43, 88, 104, 
105, 178; sketch of, 195; 242, 243, 245, 
246 

D. M. K., 118, 244, 246 

Henry, 189 

H. W., 127 

W. B., 221 
Jones, Abram, 136 

Charles, Rev., 153 

Edward, 134, 135, 244 

Frederick K. , 134 

Gnflfith W., 47, 134, 145 

John, 246 

J. Lloyd, 223 

Richard H., 133, 136 

Wilham G., 136 
Judd, Norman, 107 

N. B.. 53 

R., 155 

Kapfer, Joseph, 132, 133, 135 

Nicholas, 47 
Keeney, Rufus, 78, 119 
Keith, Aylmer, 56, 105 

Charles F., 234 
Kelley, John, 133 

J. D., 227 

Joseph J., 229 



Kellogg, Henrv N., 62 

Timothy N., 129 
Kenefick, James, 135 
Kennedy, William Thorn, 144 
Kenyon, Marquis L., 45, 103 
Kessinger, Augustus C. 145, 172, 178 

Albert R., 136, 164 178 
Ketcham, Daniel L., 46, 133 
Kimball, Emily J., 144 

Woodman, 45, 129, 161, 179 
King, Joseph, 25 

Norman, 50 
Kingsbury, Howard, Rev., 153 
Kingsley, J. S., Dr., 115 

S. B., 162 

W. J. P., Dr., 112, 136, 164, 167, 172, 
190, 220 

William L., 136, 221 
Kinnev, M. D., Rev., 159 

(reorge W. G., 133, 336 
Kirkland, Abbv, IS 

C. P., 73 ' 
Daniel, 7, 10. 20, 21 
Joshua, 10, 19, 92 

Kittrell, James W., 231 

Kittrick, William, 22 

Klein, William, 3 

Klock, George S. , 209 

Knapp, Asa, 5 

Kueeland, Andrew D., 209, 244, 245 

Knight, Charles W., 231 

David, Clark and D. W., sons of 
Daniel Whitman, 9 

D. W.,6, 9 

Daniel Whitman, Col., 9, 10, 15, 19, 
35, 147-149 
Knowlton, Orson, 46, 112 
Knox, Isaac, 68, 114 

William E., Rev., 153 
Kochersperger, Adam, 46 
Krebs. Daniel, 132 

Lackey, John H., 135 
La Fayette's visit, 88 
Lake, N. H., 231 
Lamb, Daniel W., 6 

Joseph H., Rev., 159 

Samuel and Daniel W., 5 

Walter, 133 
Lampman, Peter, 6 
Langford, P. B., 72, 128 
Lansing, jr., John, 5, 6 
Lasher, W. J., 231 
Lathrop, Hazel, 18, 20 

Isaac, 36 
Lawrence, John, 22 

vS.. 119 
Lawton, Elon J., 135, 136 



48 



OUR CIT^ AND ITS PEOPLE. 



Lawton. H. M., 128, 133, 142. 145, 172, 
221, 222 

Nathan, 68, 81, 114 
Leach, George J., 244, 247 
Leases, perpetual, 31 
Lee, Charles W., 221 

Isaac, 241 

R. E., 46 

Shepard, 114 
Leffingwell, Charles, 87, 161 

N. Hyde, 46, 95, 96, 99, 117, 130, 
132-134 
Lehmair, Benjamin, 129 
Leonard, Benjamin, 117, 128 

Numa, 27, 41, 44, 53, 66, 75, 113, 154, 
241, 242, 246 
Le Roi, Avis, 144 
Lester, Milo, 10 
Lewis, Don A., 92 

E. R., 125 

Frederick, 136 

John, 90 

L. L., 72, 87 

S. P., 127, 183 

William H., 233 
Liberty Street Methodist church, 159 
Linn, Frederick, 135 
Little, George D., 236 
Lloyd, G. H., Dr., 219 
Lockwood, Henry, Rev., 155 
Logan, Sheldon, 31, 35 
Lord, Zelotus, 60 
Lucas, George C, Rev., 153 
Lvnch, Alexander, 59 
■ Dominick, 29, 30, 31, 33, 34, 51, 85, 
86, 143, 166 

G. Harrison, 46, 128, 133, 145, 180, 
189 

James, 38, 48; sketch of, 192 

Jasper, 81 
" Lynchville," 32 

McAdam, Jennie E., 144 
McClenehan, William, 93 
McClure, W. O., 99, 127 
McComber, Dyer, 6 
McCune, A., 45 
McGrath, Michael, 31 

Roger, 172 
McGuinness, Elizabeth C, 144 
McGwigan, H. W., 229 
McHarg, Don P., 133, 172, 239 

James, 86 

J. B., 128 
McLaughhn, George, 136 
McLean, James H., 136 
McMahon, John D., 135, 207 
McPhee, William, 73, 80, 118, 128 



McPherson, William, 132 
Mallary,. Henry C, 45, 46 
Mallison, F. A., 114 

S., Mrs., 129 
Maloney, M., 46 
Manro, W. D., 143, 146 
Manufacturers, 220 
Manwaring, Amaziah, 106 
Marriott, Martin, 185 
Marsh, Miss, 112 
Marshall, Sarah K., 172 
Martin, Lyman A., 134-136, 238 
Marvel & Sons, 95 
Mason John E., 136,211 
Masonic order, the, 241 
Matteson, H., Rev., 182 

Jeptha, 46, 57, 64, 118, 126 
Jesse, 64 
Luther, 57, 64 
Merrick, 115 
Silas 25 

Simon. 44, 56, 64, 91, 113, 179 
Maxwell, H. B., 181, 225 
Ma.xham, William H., 135 
Mayers, Thomas, 3 
Medical profession, the, 213 
Meisenhelder, G., Rev., 160 
Mercantile establishments, etc., 228 
Meredith. R. R. 182 
Merrill, George, 46, 131, 133, 142 
James, 41, 44, 45, 114 
sr., James, 86, 104, 127 
jr., James, 92, 99 
Mertz, Alois, 136 
Middleditch, J., Dr., 214 
Miller, C. G., 229 
Millington, Samel, 133 
Miner, Isaac T., 72 
Minzer, George, 165 
Mitchell, Fred E., 133, 134, 244-247 

H. W., 74 
Mittenmaier, jr., Louis, 170 

Louis M., 135 
Mix, John F., 189 
Monroe, John, 179 
Moon, Eber P., 58, 117, 176 
Moore, Thomas, 37 
Moores, William, 166 
Moran, Nicholas, 76 
Mormon, William, 107, 118 
Morris, David, Rev., 93, 154, 245, 246 
Morse, G. B., 73 
Morton David D. , 133 
Oscar M., 115 
S. W., Ill, 177 
Mosely, Charles, 95 

Mosser, Gertrude, 172^^ 

Mott, William N., 163 



INDEX. 



49 



Mowry, Theodore J., i;'.(i, 181, 225 
Mudge, Alva, 45, 40, 52, 56, 50, 60, 70, 71 
78,' 121, 128, 167, 188 

Jerome L., 138 

sr., Nathaniel, 102, lo:] 

Nathaniel, 60, 72, 78, 82, 121, 12S 

Philander, 109 

S. W., 59. 64, 116, 126 

&Dotv, 64, 71, 85, 111 

Langford& Co., 128 
Murphy, A., Rev., 157 
Myers, John, 81, 84, 91 

Nellis, H., 103 

W. N , 128 

W. W., 191 
Nel?on, Edward B., Prof., 172 
Nestle, sr.. Christian, 132, 133 
New York Locomotive Works, 221 
Newman, Jonathan, 157 
Newspapers, 173 
Nicholson, Charles H., 244 
Niles, John, 41 

William W., Rev., 155 
Ninde, Clara M., 144 

H. vS., 161 
Nock, Thomas G., 221 

Thomas G., Dr., 136, 189, 213 
Northrup, W., 130 
Norton, Herman, Rev., 153 
Noyes, William Curtis, 53, 58, 83 
Nuffer, Jacob F., 134 

Oenick, Harmon. 132 
Ogden, D. A.. 244 
Oidfield. Robert, 165 
Oliver, F. W., 64 
Olney, Burt, 190, 223 

J. P., 117, 223 

William R., 132, 223 
Oneida Countv Home, 167 
O'Neil, John, 46, 95 
Orcutt, J. G., 165 
Orton, J. M., 80, 84, 85, 113, 130 
Otis, Jost-ph, 5, 6 

Levi, 22 
Owen, Edward H., 226 
Owens, J. A.. 231, 244, 246, 247 

Jones & Co., 234 

Owen E., 134 189 
Oxner, JohnD., 190 

J. Harris, Dr., 214 

Palmer, G. M., 183 

' Pigeon," 6 
Parish, Susan E., 21 
Parker, Israel S., 68, 118, 127, 243, 246 
Newman, 114 



Parker, William, 92, 132 

& Mudge. 99 
Parkhurst, William H., 68 

William S., 117 
Parks. James, 134 
Parmalee, Amos, 75, 96 

Anson, 84 
Parry, David, 226 

John J., 45. 129 

Sarah E., 144 
Patrick, Henry, 145 
Pavev, A. A.. 55, 83, 130 

E. M., 181 
Payne, George, 50 
Peabody, H.^H., Rev., 154 
Peck, Gates, 12, 40 
Peckham, Amos. 62 
Peggs Nathan. 11 

Richard, 45 

Deacon, 83 
Pell, H. W.. 72, 132, 244,247 
Penfield, William, 159 
" Pepper-corn lots," 31 
Perkins, Silas, 37 

& Allport, 129 
Perry, Andrew, 86 

Allen, 101 

John J., 189 

M. A., Rev., 92, 155 

Solomon, 84 
Petrie, Calvin, 189. 237 

D , 117. 130. 132 

Glen. 46, 128, 132 
Pfeiffer, John, 135 
Phelps, Jedediah, 27, 35 
Pierce, David S. , Rev.. 159 

O. B., 113 
Pillmore, R. M., 230 
Pinckney, Isaac M., 85, 118 
Pitcher, Abner, 6 
Place, A. E., Elder, 161 
Police Department, 165 
Pond, Thomas H.. 45 
Pope. Albert H.. 92 

G. W., Dr., 60, 113 

Harold H., Dr., 25. 41, 45, 46, 59. 60, 
64. 85, 92, 129, 189 
Porter, Joseph, 210 
Post, H. A. v., 221, 222 

J. R.. Dr., 215 
Post-office and mails, 183 
Potter. A. M.. 6 
Powell Henry. 165 
Powers, M. H., 211 

Orrin 97 
Pratt, William T.. 124 
Prescott, Cyrus D., 133, 145 
Present bar of Rome, 206 



50 



OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. 



Preston, Joseph, 21 
Prince, D. B., 46, 115, 139 
Pritchard, D. E., Rev., 161 

R. W., 50 
Pugh, David E., laS 
Purdon, James, 90 
Purdy, Solomon, 85, 243 

William, 11 
Putnam, Abijah, 35, 41 

Caleb, 31, 32, 80, 98, 99 

Caleb, Mrs., 92 

Clark, 41, 148 

Horace, 07, 127 

Lena May, 144 

R. A., 238 

Quinn, Peter, 46, 133 

Ranney, Anton, John, Orville and Les 
ter, sons of Willett, jr., 9 
Ranney family, the, 27 
James, 9 
Seth, 3, 4, 9, 35 
sr., Willett, 3, 9 
jr., Willett, 5, 9 
Rastizer, Jacob, 46 
Rathbun, Charles, 190 
Frank B., 232 
P., 54 
Rawson, Pelatiah, 67 
Ray, Dwight E., 167 
Raymond, Benjamin, 7 

Warren, 108, 184 
Raynsford, Achsah, Miss, 137 
Read, James B., 154 

Joseph B., 45, 59, 90, 105; sketch of, 
196; 242 
Rees Daniel, 226 
Reese, W. Dewey, 136 

W. K., 4 
Reh, Joseph, 136 
Reifert, John, 46, 132, 133, 141, 145 

Philip, 226 
Reynolds, Caleb, 35 

Samuel, 35, 36 
Rich, Solomon, 72, 147 
Warren, 12 
William, 96 

William and Warren, 11 
Ridge, the, and other localities, 24-26 
Rieger, Michael, Rev., 157 
Robbins, Olive, Miss, 118 
Roberts, S. B., 41, 44, 64, 76, 91, 97, 106, 
107, 142, 178; sketch of, 193 
Thomas D., 189 
T. E., 190 
Robinson, E. R., 102 
Philip, 39 



Roe, A. J., 95 
Rogers, Publius V., 45 
Roman Lodge, F. & A. M., 241 
Rome Chapter, R. A. M., 245 

Citizen, the, 178 

Coffee House, 72 

Commandery, K. T., 246 

Brass and Copper Company, 220 

in 1850, 1848 

Manufacturmg Company, 221 

Merchant Iron Mill, 221 

Republican, the, 181 

Sentinel, the, 177 

Steam Grist Mills, 226 

Steam Knitting Mills, 223 

Textile Company, 224 

village, first maps of, 30 

village in early years, 27-34 

village, naming of, 30 
Rood, Simeon, 36 
Roof, Addison G., 134 

John and family, 1-3 
Rooff, Philip, 2 
Root, Elijah, 5 

John M., 119, 129 

Orrin, 246 
Rose, H. L., 100 
Ross, Christine D., 144 
Rostizer, Fred, 47 
Roth, F. L., 189 

George J., 136 

Louis, 132 
Rothmund, E. O., 232 

Peter, 46, 47 

William E., 136, 135 
Rowan, Thomas, 134, 135 
Rowe, A., 127 

M. W., 46, 112 
Rowland, Eugene A., 207 
Rowley, Andrew J., 45, 127, 177, 183, 185 
D. C, 177,178 
Hattie E., 144 
Martin, 57, 89, 100, 108, 155 
Rudd, Benjamin, 245 
Rudel, Sanford, 135 
Russ, George P., 130, 132, 133, 135 
Russell, Dennis F., 134 

St. John's Evangelical Lutheran church. 
161 

St. Joseph's German Protestant Episco- 
pal church, 160 

St. Mary's Catholic church, 157 

St. Peter's Catholic church, 156 

Sabine, Emma, 145 

Sandford, A., 114, 128, 133, 140, 159, 179- 
181, 189 

Saulpaugh, Charles E., 27, 335 



INDEX. 



Savery, Henry, 119 

R. G.. 45, 127, l;U), i;W, 188 
Saxlon, Isaac, 15 
Sayles, A. F., 136, 210 

Joseph I., 134 
Schneible, Paul, 46 
Schools, 137-146 
Schuvler. Philip, Gen., 33 
Schwarz, J. S., 211 
Sch Wenninger, Florian. Rev., 1;)7 
Scofil, Amos, 25 

Levi, 97, 126 

S., 45 
Scott, George, 128, 180, 236 
Scripture, William E., 183 
Scudder, N. C, Dr., 216 

S. O., Dr., 107, 220 
Scully, Thomas P., Dr., 215 
Searle, D. P., 210, 245 
Searles, James H., 172, 190 
Sedgwick, Avelvn, Rev., 153 
Seekill, Abiathar, 6, 10, 17, 20 
Seidell & Baldwin, 50 
Seger, Martin, 46 
Selden, Almira. 83 

Philander, 15 

Philemon and Philander. 5 

Thomas, 5, 6, 21 
Seliney, Fort Lewis, 172 
Settlement, early, 1-13 
Seventh Day Advent Society, 161 
Sewer system, 166 
Sexton,' William, 111 
Seymour, Arden, 43, 44, 78, 85, 86, 1.0, 

Arden (Marsh), Mrs. , (5 

Eri, 45, 139, 225 

L. E., 134 

& Adams, 88, 93 
Shafer, David, 12 

John, 11 

jr., John, 12 
Shatter, H. E., 99 
Shanley, William, 133, 134 
Sheldon, John. 65 

S. H., 78 

Samuel N., 119 
Shelley, Edward H., i:'.0,l32, 183,229 
Shepard, John, 90 
Sherman, B. F., 176 

James, 40, 41, 43 61 ; sketch of, Uh> 
Shillenberg, Peter, 111 
Shortall, John, 132, 133 
Siebald, D.. Ill 
Sill, Sarah G., Miss, 130 
Simmons, W. R., 130 
Simonds, I sham, 6^ 
Simons, Edward, 6 



Simons, John, 6 

Sink, Andrew J., 103, 133, 239 

W. B., 103 
Singleton, Isaac, K'>4 
'John, 132, 136 
Thomas W., 230 
Skinner, J. C, 245 

Smiley, Robinson E., 46,243. 244, 2-16 
Smith, Asa, 10, 17, 20 
Benjamin, 11 

Bill, 3. 27, 36, 41, 58, (17, ds, Kio, l(i7 
Charles S., 134, 145 
jr., Daniel, 12 
Edward, 45, 46, 97 
Henry, Dr., 25 
Hope, 12, 13 
J. B., 129 
James C, 14;) 
Martin W., 246 
Nathan, Edward and Benjamin, sons 

of Benjamin, 11 
Oliver, 148 
P. J., Rev., 157 
P. P., 11 
Richard J., 165 
Samuel, 10, 17, 20 
Shubael, 161 
Stephen R., Rev., 13 
William, 35 
William W., 132 
Wilson, 134 
Snell, Elijah, 91 
Snow, Freeman, 87 
George W., 231 
Soliss, David H., 179 
Soper, Albert, 107. 130 
Philander, 107 
& Simmons, 114 
Southall, Samuel. 221 
vSouthwick, A. B.. 215 
Southworth, James, Rev., 157 
Tames H., 132 

Henry O., 45, 46, 132, 140-142. 1-15 

Spargo, JamesA.,224 

Spellicv, John, 46, 47 

Spencer, A., 129, 159 

A. W., 64, 78 

Harvey D.. 46, 126, 142, 190, 232 
J. A., 73 

Theodore, Rev., 153 
&- White, 232 
Spinning. S. E.. 211 
Stanwix Engineermg Company, 2ol 

Hall, 102 
Starks, Dyer, Elder, 154 

jr., Israel, 12 
Starr, Benjamin I., 95 
Samuel, 56, 66 



52 



OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLK 



Stearns, Wayland E., 144 
Steele, Eliphalet, Rev., 157 

Steers, , 8 

Sterns, Daniel, 129 

Stevens, Edward L., 47, 133, 134, 145. 
172, 19U, 208, 244, 245, 247 
Jacob, 77, 90, 129 
James, 49, 132, 135 
Jim, 191, 221, 229 
Samuel B., 45, 73, 92. lOG, 117, 119, 

1 '6, 133, 161, 189, 221, 243 
c P S7 
Stoddard M., 208 
Steves, Jeremiah, 30, 159 
Stewart, N. P., 116 
Stillman, David, 93 
Street railwa3^ 166 
Stringham, Joseph, 76 
Stryker, John. '45, 78, 99, 115, 228, 167. 
178. 190 

Peter, Rev., 153 
Thomas H., 167, 172, 221, 222 
Sturdevant, J. M., Dr., 126, 142 
Sturtevant, Charles F., 235 
Supervisors of town of Rome, 41 
Sutton, Richard E., Dr., 141, 142, 145, 

215 
Swan, G. W., 130 

Taft, George W., 45, 46, 91 
Talcott, Jonathan, 132, 148 

W. M., 149 
Talmadge, Josiah, 11 
Tavlor, James H., Rev., 153 
Th'alman, Helen E., 141 

Martin, 134 

Samuel, 239 
Thayer, Lyman, 25 
Thom, William, 246 
Thomas, F. A., 115 

F. H., 71, 189 

George R., 190 

James R., 135, 239 
Thompson, H., 112 

James, 95 

Nathan, 35 
Thron, Hartmau, 234 
Tibbitts, Jacob, 7 
Tibbits, Henry, 45, 73, 74 

Henry W., 47, 74 

&Co., H. W., 73 

Jackson, 78, 107 
Tiffany, Erastus, 133-135 

Rufus, 99 
Tillinghast, James, 243 
Toepp, Martin, 132 

Peter, 64 
Topography, 41, 42 



Town meeting proceedings, 35-41 
Towusend, J. ^., 130 

William, 108 
Tracy, Charles, 73 

Nathaniel, 11 
Treadway, John, 12" 
Tremain, S. F., Dr., 46, 249 

W. F., Dr., 219, 246 
Trinitv German Lutheran church, 160 
Trumpour, W. N., 244 
Tuller, A. P , 132, 189, 228 

& Co., A. P.. 228 
Turtelot, M. Belle, 144 
Tuttle, Charles, 112 

Salmon, 189 
Twist, O. S., 162 
Tyler, Asa, 35 

W. H., 235 

Usher, Luke, 6 

Utley, David, 46, 71, 128, 167, 188, 291 

David, Mrs,, 112 

Harmon G., 128, 190, 191 

Henry S., 45, 71, 111, 177 

Valentine, Datus E., 56 

Vandenburgh, Andrew, 19 

Van Dresar, Stephen, 41, 45, 132, 133 

141, 144, 145, 244 
Van Patten, Abram, 41 

Adam, 117 

Adam and Peter, 57 
Van Size, J. P., 54, 175 
Van Vleck, H. W., 229 
Van Wagenen, William H., 144-146 
Van Worner, Cornelius, 6 
Varv, Ezra A. , 224 
Veazie, Henry, 105, 126 

Thomas, 114 
Village civil list, 43-47 
Vogell, Eugene, 126 

H. C, 92, 154,246 
Vredenberg, Andred, 4, 6 

Wager, Daniel E., 128, 140, 177, 183, 244, 
245 

Henry, 87 
Wait, E. P., 46, 115 
Waldby. R., Ill, 176, 177 
Waldo, David, 35 

Gershom, 35, 36 

J. 0..223 
Walker, James, 45, 46, 189 

Robert, 56. 64, 83, 106, 114, 126 

Robert T., 133, 142 

Thomas, 173 

William J., 46 
Wall, Lansing, 107 



INDEX. 



53 



Walls, Elijah, 35 

Walsworth, Elisha, G, 24, 3(), 37, 44, 90, 
101, 102 
E. H., 107 
George, 159 
Jesse, 108 
William, 35 
Walworth, Edward H., 13(5, 33G 

Jesse, 123 
Ward, John, 45, 
Wardwell, Charles E., 190 
Daniel, sketch of, 199 
John S., 135, 166, 234 
N. M., 234 

Samuel, 24, 46, 140, 142, 167, 190, 2:!4 
W. W., 172, 190, 221, 234 
Hardware Company, 235 
Warner, David, 82 
Elam, 76 
Peter, 93 
Warren & Beers, 178 
Washington street, 49 
Waterman, Simon, Rev., 147 

Theophilus, 40 
Water Works 163 
Waters. Philander, 22 
Watkins, James L., 45, 103 
Watson, Bill, 20 

Elkanah, statement of, relative to 

Fort Stanwix 33 
Moses G., 61, 81, 91, 92, 107, 118 
Weeks, Elijah, 5 
Wells, Joshua, 17 
Justin J., 243 
Welsh Calvinistic Methodist church, 150 

Congregational church, 160 
Wesleya!n Methodist church, 159 
West, Calvin, 145 
John, 85, 105 
M. C, Dr., 85 
William, 6, 10, 19 
W. W., 12 
Westcott, John, 70, 90, 95, 106, 243 
Western Inland Lock Navigation Com- 
pany, 32 
Weston, William, 32 
Wetherbee, Henry S., 135, 136, 164 
Wetmore, Charles P., 79 

OUver, Rev., 150 
Wetzel, Frank H., 134 
Whalen, Matthew, 136 
Whaley, James H., Dr., 215 
Wheat, Benjamin, 22 

George, 9, 10, 16, 20 
Whedon, Alva, 45, 73, 95, 96, 105, 132 
Daniel, 55, 95 
Hiram, 95, 96 
Wheeler, Georgianna, 144 
Orson, 107, 115, 130 



Wheelock, A., Col., 25 
Whipple, Henry B., Rev., 155 
White, C. H., 246 
C. W., 130 
H. K., 27, 126. 232 
John, 36, 148 
Peter, 55,101, 154 
Stephen, Dr., 44, 55, 92, 159, 241 
Stephen, 56 
William, 96 
William C, 135,225 
Whitemore, i5enjaniin, 117 
Whitworth, Robert, 45, 46 
Wiegel, Charles A., Rev., 161 
Wiggins, Howard C, 135, i:'.6, 2(t9, 245 
■ J. B., 230 
J. T., 230 
Elijah, 65 

E. W., 73, 78, 108, 115, 119 
Jabez, 85, 126 
Wightman, Silas, 5, 15 
Wilcox, H. A., 126 
H. W., 64 
John H., 6 

Sylvester, 44, 45, 112, 114, 116 
Wilds, Thomas, 165 
Thomas C, 132 
Wiley, Arthur]., 224 
Wilkes, Bertha, 172 
Wilkinson, A. J.. 245 
Willett, Marinus, Col.. 83 
Williams, Benjamin W., 12. 47, 145, 183, 
220 

Clarence E., 223 
C. F., 108, 126 
C. P., 45 
Daniel, 25 

E. Stuart, 135, 145, 223 
Hobart, Rev., 155 
James L., 223 
John, 35 
John F., 124 
Jonathan, 25 
Joseph, 96 
Lemuel, 22 
Loren, 22, 65 
Oscar D., 134 
R. Rev., 160 
Samuel, 10, 19 
Simeon, 11 
WiUiam, 117 
W. F., Rev., 153 
Willoughby, E. A., 230 
Wilson, H. J.. 212 

R. R., 22*5 
Wingate, Moses, 45 
Wolfe, Edith M., 144 
Wolff, Henry, 229 
John, 134 



i<^^ 



54 



OUR CITf AND ITS PEOPLE. 



Wood, George, 103 

John, 68 

Minnie F., 144 

Timothy, 36, 40, 44, 77, 101. 149 

Timothy W., 11 
Worden, E. O.,208 
Wright, Albert D., 60 

Allen, 7 

Benjamin, 7, 8, 33, 39, 60, 61, 87, 148 

Cora M., 144 

sr., Ebenezer. 3, 7, 8, 10, 12, 27, 147 

jr., Ebenezer, 5, 7, 10, 35-37, 39. 40 

E W\, 5, 19 

Henry G., 145. 189, 190 

John, 5 

Joseph, 19 

Joseph Butler, 7 



Wright, Joseph, Ebenezer, John, Moses, 
Thomas, jr., and Allen, sons of 
Thomas, 8 

Moses, 5, 8, 36-39 

Thomas, 3, 8, 10, 19, 35 

jr., Thomas, 36 

WilHam, 78, 43, 56, 76, 107, 114, 149 

William E., 83, 88, 113 
Wylie, Charles, A'd, 149 

John, 190 

Winfield S.,134 

Yorkey, Charles, 184 
Young, Emmet, 226 

Men's Christian Association, 161 

Zion Episcopal church, \~A 



PART II-BIOGRAPHICAL. 



Abeel, James S., Capt. , 30 
Bissell, Gordon N., 36 
Comstock, Calvert, 28 
Comstock, Edward, 28 
Draper, Virgil, 15 
Ethridge, Alfred, 8 
Flandrau, Thomas Macomb, 23 
Huntington, Edward, 16 
Kingsley, W. J. P., M. D., 34 
Lawton, Elon J., M. D., 21 
Mann, Newton, 6 
Nock, Thomas G., 31 
Prescott, Cyrus Dan, 33 



Reid, Christopher C, M. D., 25 
Sayles, Joseph I., 26 
Scripture, William E., 38 
Scudder, Samuel O.. M. D., 20 
Searles, James H., 37 
Smith, J. Arthur, V. S., 39 
Soper, Albert, 18 
Soper. Arthur W., 19 
Stryker, John, 1 1 
Utley, David, 14 
Wardwell, Daniel, 3 
West, M. Colvin, M. D., 10 



